Last night, I spoke with the featured artist at a gallery at the Sedona Art Walk. What he told me has me thinking deeply about the artist’s plight. And the plight of humanity right now. As I ready myself to enter the world of the gallery scene and show my art more, I wonder about every other artist in that scene. Read more of my thoughts below. I hope you can join me in thought and conversation.
The artist told me that painting for a living changes everything. There is no more creativity. Wow! How can that be? Further, he explained he needs to make work that sells and has settled into a genre that sells well. That is what he paints now. He says there is no more room or time to paint just for himself, to paint what he wants. He has to paint what sells to satisfy the clientele in the gallery to make a living. When he paints commissions, he’s painting for the client, not for himself.
Galleries require artists to make consistent work so they can sell it. If an artist veers off the known path for that artist, it makes it more difficult for the gallerist to sell the work, since it doesn’t fit into the other work.
Is there a global creativity crisis?
So, is the creativity of artists suppressed globally? I envisioned artists all over the planet being pigeonholed into making art that sells. Now, I understand where the phrase “selling one’s soul” comes from. Are artists selling their souls when they can’t merely paint for themselves anymore because they need to eat and pay the bills? They could get a second job to do that, but is that fair to the artist?
When I finished that last line, a friend sent me the following image.
I guess this is the plight of the artist and anyone else who wishes to exercise their creative power. How can they make it in this world - how to survive and thrive - while doing work that they love? And this is so key - to do work that they love. The world would be a happier and saner place if individuals were free to pursue their passions. Instead, we’ve created a world geared toward getting things and making money to get those things. We go to our 9-5 jobs to make money, not to make happiness. What is happening to our humanity - we are born to create.
Splintering Creativity
How do we remain true to the spirit of creativity and balance it with what is valuable in the marketplace? Is it right to splinter creativity - create for the different parts of us - body, mind/self/soul, spirit?
1. Spirit - pure creativity coming through us from our creator/the divine
2. Body - create to survive and thrive - food, shelter, fun.
3. Mind/Self/Soul - create in the middle - a blending of pure creativity from spirit sent through our human filter of mind
So, shall I paint for a living? Is it fair to ask, demand that the artist create for the marketplace? Artists need to be supported to create art purely for the sake of creation, not just to fulfill their basic needs for survival and well-being. So, what’s the solution - for the artist population and me personally?
The Allure of the Gallery Scene
The allure of the gallery scene has its benefits:
Get my art known.
Get my art sold so it can make its impact in the world.
Let someone else do the selling since I’m not good at it. That will allow me more time to create. Although, if someone else is selling it, that implies permission to have a say in what sells. Hmm...
Building up my resume to be seen as an artist of substance in the view of art museums - my ultimate art goal.
Maybe the best option is to go for grant money, but I think grants look at the artist’s track record of shows and gallery representation.
“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” – Oprah Winfrey
Artists Must Create
Artists need a space where they can create freely, without having to meet the demands of the marketplace.. Artists need to create what’s in them to create. It’s important for society for artists to create what’s in them to create. Growth and evolution of civilizations depends on this. The artist answers to a higher calling. We must subsidize them in this. I think there are foundations out there that assist artists to create. I need to research this topic.
Possible Solutions
Maybe one solution is the artist-run galleries and the artist-coop galleries, where artists can sell what they want. I don’t think I’ve ever given these types of galleries another look or thought. Now, I think they might be onto something. It keeps the power within themselves and the artistic community. I’m sure they still find they need to cater to a certain clientele to stay in business. But I will consider this option now. It’s time to visit a few and research the possibilities.
Maybe that’s one solution - The artists’ marketplaces where they create what they want and open up the space for people to buy their creations. And open to taking donations simply to support them to keep creating.
Is this right thinking? Or am I delusional thinking that art serves a high purpose to humanity or the universe/the All? Is creation essential?
“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.”
– Edward De Bono
Extra
My friend and I continued our conversation as I finished writing this article. I had sent her the beginning since she sent me the image during its writing. Her timing for sending that image was uncanny. It came out of the blue. She didn't know I was writing this article. I thought you might enjoy reading our conversation. She gave me permission to include it. The result for me was high inspiration. I hope it will be for you too.
Friend: "And I think you should always paint from the soul! The right clientele will appreciate the passion behind the work and buy!"
Me: "Well, I love that sentiment! The conversation last night has me thinking deeply about all this. Right now, I paint for my soul and passion for what wants to appear on the canvas. I wonder if the galleries will pigeonhole me? Maybe the artist has to put their foot down or go to another gallery? Anyway, I'm writing to get my thoughts out on paper."
Friend: "To get into a gallery, the paintings must have been done from the soul and with great creativity... so that should continue whether in a gallery or not."
Me: "What makes you think that galleries care about such things? I guess I'll find out through experience with galleries. I haven't been in a gallery for a long time, so I'll have to just experience what it really is like."
Friend: "Because they like the pre gallery paintings enough to put them into their gallery. I would think that is what they would want to continue. What is art without the passion??? I think if a painting is forced, the cliente would notice. I love the wild crazy paintings from the soul for sure!"
Me: "Indeed!!! That's my point. I'm wondering if artists lose their passion once they get into galleries? lol... I don't know! 🤷♀️ Wild crazy paintings - wonderfully put!"
Friend: "And an artist like you, look at all the genres you have in your portfolio! I just can't see any passion being lost with all the options you have. I say always keep painting what you are feeling and enjoying what you do. Stay true to you and everything will fall into place. Kind of like they have been doing!"
Me: "Ha! Well, with the help of a good friend and ally, 🧡 they are falling into place. I'll just go with the flow and stay positive, keep creating from the well of passion.💙"
Friend: "Yes!"
She sent these art quotes that are perfect for our conversation.
THANK YOU FOR DONATING TO MY ARTISTIC PURSUIT
"Every artist dips his brush into his soul and paints his own nature into his paintings."
–Henry Ward Beecher
"I don't paint the world I see, I paint the world I feel."
–Unknown
What Do You Think?
Please comment below. Let's get this conversation rolling!
“Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.” – Austin Kleon
I guess this is the plight of the artist and anyone else who wishes to exercise their creative power. How can they make it in this world - how to survive and thrive - while doing work that they love? And this is so key - to do work that they love. The world would be a happier and saner place if individuals were free to pursue their passions. Instead, we’ve created a world geared toward getting things and making money to get those things. We go to our 9-5 jobs to make money, not to make happiness. What is happening to our humanity - we are born to create.
