Those who feel themselves to be artists often find their own perspective to be one that is not shared or well understood by many of their family and friends. Many may not understand what compels artists to pursue a career that demands the majority of the artists’ time while providing few if any opportunities in return. The general viewing public often under appreciates the artist’s work, particularly as it diverges from what the public would consider a “pretty picture”. Probably most daunting of all is the fact that the practical necessities of earning a living and raising families leave artists with little time or energy to pursue their art making. Life generally conspires to cause the vast majority of artists to stop making art at all.
And yet there are those few, who, despite these obstacles, persist in their art making. I think Diego Rivera explained the phenomenon well; Frida Kahlo came to him as a young, fledgling painter and asked if he thought her paintings were good enough to sell, as she needed an occupation that would contribute to the family coffers. Rivera scoffed at the idea that one might paint in order to sell, and told her that artists painted not because they were “good enough to sell” but simply because they had to. This compulsion seems to have its root in the deepest part of the artists’ own psyche. Into what shadowy world it leads the artist, and what it dictates the artists paint, does not seem controlled or directed by our conscious mind, but the creation of a deeper subliminal level whose dictates we follow, never knowing but always curious to see where they will lead us. Like Don Quixote tilting windmills, what we do seems to serve no practical purpose, and yet it is as necessary to our wellbeing as food and sleep.
Given this Quixotic and solitary occupation it is a delight to find others of like mind. To work in community with them produces a tangible energy that inspires us all. To observe others struggling to follow their own spirits’ direction validates my own explorations. We comfort, criticize and offer another pair of eyes when the artists’ own are weary or confused. And so, with the fuel offered by pursuing our “heart’s desire” and the support of like minds, we persist….here's a pic of the students from the emandal artstay...they really helped each other
