I had a good discussion with a friend yesterday about the place of fame for an artist. In my own quest to define the artist, I’ve been asking myself, why does an artist make something? My concluding answer has been: for personal reflection and expression. Sometimes, that process is appreciated by others, and that is when the art is sold. But my current thought is: the artist should not be producing for the sake of selling the art.
If the artist does create for the sake of selling the art, then the artist becomes a craftsperson instead. It is not a bad thing, it is just a redefinition. Being a skilled craftsperson looks a lot like being an artist, but until the craftperson creates for their own self, it is just a craft. The craftperson becomes an artist when there is no client to craft for, but themselves as the client.
The artist not seeking success, but seeking their own expression becomes more true an artist. Having to create visual work for sale is also not a bad thing, but again, a redefinition.
I wish I could have more time to be an artist, to spend time to create. Currently, the most I can do is write. There are so many times where I struggle to find the right place for the work I do, but I ask myself if there is a need to really place it somewhere. At the end of it, I should be happy just doing it for myself.
These thoughts will definitely change over time. But for now, this is what I’m thinking.
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