Create Art That You Are Proud Of | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Create Art That You Are Proud Of

If you are proud of your work, then that is reward enough.

383
Create Art That You Are Proud Of
fine art america

As artists, we desire to create good art, to create art that we care about, that we can be proud of. We pour all of our heart and soul into something that we are passionate about. We toil away, tweak and perfect, make a change here, add a dash of something there, working away without a sense of time, focusing on the work at hand — creating.

In this moment, we temporarily lose ourselves in the work. No longer are we held in the monotony of the everyday. Instead, our passion leads us into a respite, a moment of surrealism where everything around us slips away into nothingness — where only artist, and the art, remains.

We spend our time with our art. We cradle it, watch it grow and when it is ready, we release it into the world.

Or, perhaps, we don’t. Perhaps, we want to hold on for a little longer. Perhaps, the work is a secret that only belongs to the creator. Or, perhaps, we want to keep the art to ourselves, because we are too afraid of how others react. We hesitate, with a moment of worry, and wonder if no one will understand. We fear that others will disregard our work, or walk on it and remark, “this is not good enough.”

All of the love, all of the care and attention that has been put into the work, is somehow diminished in that moment.

As artists, it is so easy to fear that no one will appreciate the work that we have made. When someone disregards it, walks right past it and flocks to another piece created by a different artist, it becomes so easy to fall into the trap of comparison. We look at the other person and think to ourselves, “You’re better than me at this art. I should just stop creating since yours is the best. How can mine compare?”

Or maybe, instead of stopping altogether, you may find it better to create based on what you assume the public wants. Suddenly, the labor of love becomes simply, labor. The passion is gone, the love and care swept away like dust. You no longer create what your heart longs for. Now, you create for the reviews, the attention, the compliments. The work caters to how many shares it will receive, how many likes the post may get or how many words of praise pass by the ear.

Is this really good art? Sure, something is being made, yet there is no passion. The art is flat. The poetry, bland. The music, merely stagnant without solid intonation.

Is art without passion really good art?

Artists should create from what inspires them. If the audience does not care for it, then too bad. Art should be inspiring, beautiful, moving, inspirational, stunning, creative, loved, cherished and dynamic. It should come straight from the artist's heart. If passion in the creation fails to exist, then inspiration for future art will become scarce and slowly, cease.

And if we only copy the art that “sells,” then we fail to be true to ourselves. If another artist is succeeding, then good for them. However, that does not mean that you should stop creating altogether. Rather, keep creating. The world of art is a very diverse place. No two artists are supposed to be the same. No two artists can create the exact same work. Your work does not compare with others. Your work does not match your neighbor. You make your art, and they’ll make theirs. Neither is “better.” Neither is “worse.”

Make art because you are inspired. Make art because you love it. Make art because you have a passion. Don’t make art only because you feel like you need a certain number of “likes” on a picture, or a certain number of “shares” on a post. Make art for the mere reason that it is what you love, and that it is what you want to do.

Create, explore, experiment, imagine and inspire. Make the art that you want to create. Make art that you are proud of.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

11 Confessions Of A Sleep-A-Holic

If your plans get cancelled, there is a 99.9% percent chance you are sleeping.

481
woman lying on bed
Photo by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

1. What are some of your hobbies? Does sleep count?

I'm so good at sleeping I can do it with my eyes closed

Keep Reading...Show less
one tree hill
Wikipedia Commons

If you need a new series to watch, I recommend One Tree Hill. I watched this series three times now and it only keeps getting better. If you need any more reasons beside the fact that all of the seasons are on Netflix for your binge-watching pleasure, here are seven more reasons to watch it.

Keep Reading...Show less
University of Mount Olive
University of Mount Olive

College is the most exciting time of a person's life. It really is. Exciting is not always a positive feeling though. Excited is a feeling that can be associated with nervousness, anxiety and more. Here are some real tips for college freshman that go beyond the typical, "Go to class," lecture.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The 5 Pros and Cons Of Long Distance Friendships

Being friends with someone thousands of miles away has its drawbacks and perks.

1378
friends on the beach

True friendship is incredibly rare, and to find a friend that will be there for you through all of life's curveballs is something quite unique. To add distance into the equation, maintaining a real, true friendship can be a struggle. There are good and bad parts that come with long distance friendship.

Keep Reading...Show less
high school girls
Tori Horne

Friendship. It's defined as the state of being attached to another person by feelings of affection or personal regard, but what really is friendship? Is it that occasional hallway talk with that one person who always manages to cheer you up? Is it that relationship you have with someone where they can be gone for a long period of time, but when they come back, it's like they never left? Is it spending every waking hour with someone, and knowing every detail about their life? Is it the relationship that's filled with fighting, but filled with even more resolution? I've learned that it's all of these things, and every friendship is different. It's a beautifully dysfunctional mess that should always be cherished and never be taken for granted.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments