Browsing the dusty shelves of a second-hand book store, I begin flipping through the pages of a small book of poems. As not only a creator of artwork, but also an avid consumer of various arts, I always try to keep an eye out for meaningful content. The store shelves were packed two rows deep, leaving half of the books in darkness behind the front row. Upon noticing this, a sad thought began to creep into my mind. Assuredly some of these books waiting for a home were rushed out by large companies to make a quick buck off of the latest trends, but not all, no way, not by a long shot. Many of these books sitting unread, unloved, and conceivably worthless were the work of sensitive artists who put their heart and soul into their work. I am certain that many of the books that end up in places like this are not only worthwhile, but can be life changing if the audience is receptive. I know that publishing a book is not an easy thing to do, and I would bet that some of these books took everything that the creator had. As someone determined to live an Art life, this is a depressing thought, and one that could quickly lead to a very bleak outlook. 

    Life as an artist rarely comes easily, as we weave a part of ourselves into our work before releasing it out into the world. We then sit back and watch helplessly as this artifact that now means so very much to us, far too often be received with indifference by the general population. Some of us compound this problem, myself included, by choosing an artistic medium that is not very popular to begin with (Black and White photography), and then make intimate photographs that require a great deal of attention and participation from the viewer. Talk about setting yourself up for failure! You may ask why in the world anyone would do this to themselves, when bothering can be a bit of a bother, why bother? 

    For the majority the choice has become far too easy, would you rather be judged by others as you struggle, fail, get up, and then continue fighting a never-ending battle, or grab a beer and turn on the television to form judgements of your own? In other words, what would you rather be, a perpetual student or a judge? The latter involves no immediate risk of failure, and in our culture the fear of failure has most scared to even try to accomplish anything. It can be daunting to put so much of yourself into your work just to receive a negative reaction, or perhaps a lack of any reaction at all, and I understand how this may take the wind right out of the sails. But I believe that those who feel this the strongest, at the very least need to re-direct their sails, but may in fact be on the wrong boat all together. 

    True artists are not seeking praise, validation or fame, they create from a place of inner necessity. In an attempt to satiate the need for growth and expression, knowing full well that nothing else can compare to the act of creation. The creative voice imprinted in each of our DNA began as a whisper, but has been cultivated within the practicing artist and can no longer be designated to the audience. Having grown stronger and stronger until at last it finds a place on stage to sing its song. This is where the choice mentioned earlier begins to reveal what is truly at stake. I propose that instead of the comfortable path of convenient but empty judgments, we should strive to remain lifelong students, students possessed by the Art Spirit. The soul of the artist is lightened and lifted as progression expands through the production of their artwork.  While the inner voices of the convenience seeking majority slowly fade into a deafening silence. The fear of immediate failure can ultimately lead to a much more profound failure, a lifetime spent observing the hard work of others come to fruition, while never accomplishing anything personally.

    The secret to a healthy art life is found in the recognition that the enjoyment and personal meaning embodied in the creative act is what truly matters. And regardless of popularity (or lack there of), after a few hundred years the slate is again wiped clean. Much like the building of a sand castle, despite how large or labyrinthine the design, when the tide rolls in, the whole thing gets washed away as if it was never there. For those that remain lifelong students, the Art Life enriches and enlivens every passing moment, and increases receptivity to felt experiences. This allows us to explore our feelings, struggles, failures, and celebrations before forming a tangible expression gleaned from deep within ourselves. Minor White said; “The camera is first a means of self-discovery and a means of self-growth” which remains true of any tool used in the creation of artwork, releasing the shutter is not the point, living life with the Art spirit and continually progressing as a human being is. Alongside the pursuit of meaningful experiences and interesting subject matter out of doors, comes the interwoven search for understanding in this life while familiarizing ourselves with the microclimate within our own soul. When deeply felt the artistic artifact is a manifestation of this growth and understanding that stands as a signpost along our life’s journey. Even if years down the road it sits alone in the dark, ignored and all but forgotten, the work matters to the creator, and made them a better person in the process, and is fully and completely worth it.