Inspiration Fridays! Who do you paint for?
Who do you paint for?
We all start from nothing. The swagger in a man’s eyes and the sway of a woman’s hips are enough to build both fortune, and rain ruin.
“The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette.” – Henry Hoskins
When I started off on this painter’s journey, I believed in overnight success. I anticipated some hard work but honestly, I didn’t expect my rise toward immortal stardom to take very long. The self-proclaimed best artist in third grade, I held tightly to the belief that fame and world domination were eminent. My 25th birthday came and went without any fanfare, and through bloodshot eyes, I saw that the cloudy door to my fantasy of being a celebrated child prodigy and 20-year-old superstar had closed. It seems funny to me now, but at the time I was devastated. My imagined and fictitious bubble of success had burst, and I felt like I had blown it.
Twenty-five was actually the first year that I managed to work full-time as an artist, without washing dishes, serving espresso, or waiting tables. It was a big year for me, I just couldn’t see it. I had been chasing the unattainable. There would be no Doogie Howser M.F.A. The bar I had set for myself didn’t even exist.
Insomnia 5am – mixed media on panel
Comparisons are odious, but it can be difficult to keep our perspective in a world inundated with social media blasts from people who live life as a brand. The image of personal success is now being produced as entertainment. That’s a lot to live up to, and it really doesn’t leave much room for creativity. It’s become even easier to fixate on our shortcomings, but what we really need, is a change in perspective.
What some may consider a lack of ability, creativity, or even skill, can be the very thing that makes our work decidedly unique. As long as we continue to show up for ourselves and feed our passion, we are in the right place.
Get back to basics. Why did you start painting in the first place? What did you love about it? Instead of painting what might be trending, or shooting for likes, create what YOU would like to see, or maybe even paint how you’re feeling. This is the surest way to find your flow. When we allow ourselves to be inspired and nurtured by our art, we will begin painting the work that matters. That is the work that is uniquely your own. Your work may end up in a museum or it may not, but authentic painting is always a gift to those who have the opportunity to see it.