Create for Yourself
I am writing this segment for 2 different audiences… the artists and all the beneficiaries of Creativity (the World).
An amazing book for any creative, or anybody interested in the creative mind and/or process, is Rick Rubin’s book, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being”. One of the most “controversial” things he says in this book is, “the audience comes last”. What he is referring to is that the artist must always, first and foremost, create the things they want to create… create for yourself, no one else!…much easier said than done.
When an artist enters a creative career, business and the need to generate income becomes a powerful and, often, persuasive force. Admittedly, I am a people pleaser and I too was not immune to being motivated, to varying degrees, by what others wanted and what my business financially required at the time. Personally speaking, I am very fortunate because my Creative soul has a Very loud voice and my art has always been mostly guided by this voice :)
Now, I am not advocating abandoning all thoughts and motivation to generating income, but rather to focus on and appreciate the real wealth of being an artist: creative freedom!
As a young artist and building an art career, creating things you think the public will like and purchase and, conversely, creating things your Creative soul is guiding you towards is one of the most difficult mental battles you will go through. If I could magically instill a belief into another artist, it would be to Always create for yourself. By creating for yourself, you are in fact creating the absolute best things… this is the greatest gift you can give to yourself, and your audience. When you truly start to create for yourself, wealth and abundance will follow right behind… creative sincerity is a magnet for wealth and abundance.
No matter the financial gains or accolades you would get by creating what others “like”, if you do not fully enjoy the creative process and results, you will never be fully happy. I can assure you that when you truly create for yourself you will succeed in life… the success you will find is true success: happiness!
My hope is that this message empowers artists to follow their true creative souls and that the beneficiaries understand and support artists pursuing sincere Creativity. The more the World supports sincere, genuine Creativity, the more masterpieces the World will receive. Following your Creative soul is the greatest gift you can give to this World :)