I’ve often heard it say that artists are isolated frustrated souls who live in a world of unrealistic dreams. They are the ones who, through their gifts, share their innermost feelings as a present to us. Many of us pay no attention to the joy that comes from the sacrifice. What do artists offer? Not much. They live a lifetime doodling with their paintbrushes, playing with their instruments, and writing their thoughts on any piece of paper. They are free spirits who live day after day on a quest to make their dream come true. Most of us “normal” hard-working folks don’t get them, and as much as we might love them, we misunderstand their need to do what they must. To be creative, to be inventive, to be original. We often ask them, is it worth it? Are all the heartaches and suffering, financial instability, and even loneliness worth one moment of creative expression? Artistic people are different, and throughout history, this has been a fact. Many die young, many are unknown until their death, and most we think of as crazy. Many artists live with inner demons. Still, those demons are what frequently bring the muse.
The painting “At Eternity’s Gateway reflects what Vincent Van Gogh felt when he painted it. Two months or so later, he died from a self-induced gunshot. Rembrandt died nearly bankrupt at age 63. Jackson Pollock’s overuse of alcohol along with depression got the better of him, finally leading him to kill himself by overturning his car while driving drunk.
We are rational people. We teach our children to be sensible by choosing more traditional professions.
We can’t deny that many are often discouraged from years of aiming for a dream that may or may not come true. Why do they do it? Well, because they know that without them, we would be completely and utterly empty.
The creative person is an advocate of meaning. The artist sees and hears the world differently. They see the beauty in what most see as frivolous: the charm, the ugliness, and the fear. Artists have a way of expressing it all through music, art, poetry, visions, and ideas. Sure, many creative individuals are sad, frustrated, and perhaps even depressed. Often, the work reflects their feelings, and they share those feelings with the world.
Those of you granting us a portal to your passions, your fears, and your joy…Thank you!