Why You Need to be an Artist
The need to write, the need to create, the need to express.
These urgent wants kicked in very early in life for me, and I am hard-wired for it. I cannot remember a time when creativity wasn’t a part of my daily requirements, as necessary as air and water.
However these desires do not assure that everything I create will be solid gold, top-of-the-charts awesome. That’s never stopped me. I am typically very critical of everything I write, and it’s rare that I sit back and stare at my screen impressed with myself. And that’s a good thing, because it puts me in the position to constantly push myself, and I know that one day all the gears will click, and something truly amazing will occur.
This quote was floating around my social media channels the other day, and it spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you as well. Keep writing, drawing, making music. Don’t ever stop.
So right. So write.
Nice! Thanks Mark.
as a vonnegut fan I concur and yes I have always created … for better or worse
As a shark must swim or die…
yes
Oy gevalt! If only I could have this attitude. I’m grandiose. I want to be Kurt Vonnegut, Zadie Smith, Jane Austin, Franz Kafka — 20 years ago. So as far as I’m concerned though I’m still writing, it’s too late. I wanted a young and beautiful jacket cover. I like that you accept that your stuff may not be tip top. Really, I just need a better job. The job I have I love but I got stuck in it when the economy tanked. It’s hard now for me to find one. I always said, if I had a good job to distract me I wouldn’t be fantasizing so much about writing. I have my Kindle book and my hard copy will be out soon but I’m really disenchanted and want to move on. I want to be totally absorbed in a job. I hope I can find one. Sorry for this ‘post-sized’ comment.
Hope you have a great day and thanks for the great post!
I had a girlfriend, many years ago, who was commenting on artist friends that we had who were in their 40s.
She said, “I don’t know why they keep trying. If they were truly great, wouldn’t they be well known by now?”
What a shitty attitude.
Keep going no matter what, my friend. Your soul’s health depends on it. Thanks so much for supporting my work and your comments. It means a lot.
I think therefore I am and I write therefore I am alive.
Truth.
A fantastic, inspirational quote by Vonnegut and you to keep going. And I like your reply to the last commenter. As Vonnegut said, you may not be able to make a living from the Arts. But you may be able to make a better Life. Thanks for your enthusiasm to inspire artists to keep going.
He is one of my biggest heros. Love your shirts, probably gonna order me the breakfast skull t. Killer.
I feel sometimes very similary. Thank you for writing!
Nice! Thank you.
Inspiring! Makes me want to keep dreaming and doing
Thank you!
Now that’s the stuff!
I’m not an artist…. I’m Just a selfish human being; to create (or rather rearrange and mix) things is a way to know who I really am..
Good post!
I’m following your updates now
Excellent. Glad to have met you!
I have read your blog on and off for sometime now and I thoroughly enjoy your wit and writings.
I write myself and like you rarely come up with sth that blows me away.
I totally agree with you and the quote. Art brings something to a life that nothing else can; a vitality, a depth, a fullness, a … something that I can’t quite find the a word that fully captures it.
And in these times where all news is more likely to be bad than not, it becomes imperative that everyone have a healthy outlet for the many emotions that we have to grapple with.
I totally love that story you proposed to your wife with. Seriously, this is a problem? Is a great and hilarious piece. Keep up d cool work! Oh, and congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Dugo, thanks so much for taking the time to comment on my page, totally made my night. Sounds like we have some similar opinions on how life on this mudball stacks up. Looking forward to hearing from you more and thanks for the grats!
U’re welcome. Looking forward to discovering those similarities. Glad I could make your night. Ciao!