March 2015
For the artist, introspection is fundamental to their work. Without introspection and the authenticity you hope it creates; your work is merely a reflection of the world in which you live. This may be good enough for the outside world, but it will never bring into being the complete personal success that every artist seeks.
To seek your personal reality through introspection, and then act with the personal courage it requires to make it happen is the path to authenticity.
And there is no greatness or integrity without authenticity. We often confuse greatness with fame. That is not what we are considering here. The personal honesty we need to feel within ourselves is vital for the completion of our artistic journey. It may only be known to us. And in the end that will be enough.
The layperson always presumes that for the artist to be successful, you also need to make a living from your art. This is an overwhelming consideration of the mechanistic and material world in which we live. But what about the art that is created everyday independent of the world’s eyes and praise, does this make the work less authentic or worthy? How much great art exists today, not because it brought fame within the lifetime of the artist, but because the art survived antiquity and was eventually discovered.
Even so, every artist, known or unknown also knows there are times of doubt and insecurity that threaten your artistic perspective if not your very existence.
So what do you do about it? The one thing you can do, you keep going. However, before you start again, a moment of introspection helps here.
A legitimate question is “Do I just keep going?” The answer for me is always a resounding yes. Even if no one else ever sees what I am doing it is necessary for me to continue. It is what keeps me vital. It keeps me informed and moving forward in my life and in my thinking. It keeps my mind relevant and alive.
If creating your art allows this to be, all else falls into place, and you remain true to yourself.
So how do you materially survive? The way most artists have survived from the beginning of time. You find work that provides for your material and personal responsibilities that still allow you to create.
Sometimes the work is related to the area of art you practice – often it is not. However, regardless of the type of work that it is - it must allow you the time and resources to continue to produce your art.
Finally, always remember we must seek with all the courage of our being - authenticity. Our work can only be vital to ourselves and others if we are authentic. Our words and works must carry the power of truth. It can be ugly or beautiful, but it must be authentic – nothing else will do.
And let us never forget our art has significance simply because it is our work - our creation. That should be enough – and most of the time it is.
So we are left with the same task. Let it fly – let it all happen. Regardless of what transpires you will always know you had the courage to be honest with yourself.
In the end that may be the only thing that matters.
Vera V. Veronica, commenting for “Musings” – a division of the Pizzaonian Newsertainment Network, Diverti Mento, editor
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