Anyone who has ever taken any kind of art or creativity courses has probably been told that it’s important to explore your “why”. Why do you make your art? Why do you make your particular kind of art? For some of us it’s like asking why man exists. All we really know is that we are compelled to do it.
It usually starts at a young age. Before we even understand any of our “whys”. We draw something, we like the way it makes us feel to have created something and we want to cultivate that feeling. While I think talent is overrated, some people seem to be more naturally skilled than others. Those are the lucky ones who never need to ask why. It’s simply because they’re good at it. As for the rest of us, it’s “why do I keep working at this?”.
After all this talk about the “why”, one can’t help but explore their own reasons for wanting to make visual art. Since my world is all about me, I have contemplated this for myself. What is my why?
I think I have to go back to some inspiration I received in my own childhood. Anyone who has read my statement or bio knows that I was influenced by my aunt who was an artist. I remember the time I got to sit with her at the Winter Park Art Festival. I think it made me feel that she was important. And, by extension, her art was important.
As an adult I participated in several art festivals. I really enjoyed talking about my art. Something that I always felt would be difficult. I truly believe that art makes a difference and is so very necessary for a society. I “why” is to be a part of the difference. Like so many others, my goal in life is to leave the world a little bit better place after I’m gone.
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