I’m inspired to write this blog post by a question someone asked me a couple of weeks ago: Do artists need to suffer to create Art?
I’ve been a freelance creative for almost six years. I’ve met hundreds of artists, dreamers, and fellow wild-life creators. Because that’s how it feels like: we’re all out there in the wilderness. Trying to make it, surrounded by tigers and lions. We get scratches and bites. But we keep going anyway because there is no other imaginable way of doing life.
Once you enter that open field of creativity, one rarely turns around.
We have this image in our heads of how creatives live and what it takes to create Art.
Different versions of an artist
Let me start by saying this, in my years as a creative, I’ve been different versions of an artist.
When I first started, I made no money. I accepted any work experience I could get. I lived in flatshares, drank cheap wine, walked or took the bike everywhere. I was a dreamer that lived high in the clouds simply because she got to experience life as a creative. I accepted being disrespected, thinking, “this is how this industry works”.
After that, I believed that I had to suffer to create art, that they come hand in hand. I went into the world to seek the extreme. I run after experiences that fueled me with adrenalin like fire fuels a hot air balloon. Only to come crashing down when the fire stops.
I was seeking the highs and the lows.
I worked non stop because reality might catch up once I stopped, and I avoided that at all costs.
I often numbed my overwhelming feelings and exhaustion with alcohol.
And now I’m an artist that’s been in the industry long enough to know that somehow, it always works out. I know what I like and dislike. I understand how I want to be treated. I’m careful with whom I surround myself. I have worked hard and invested time and energy. Yet, things haven’t turned out the way I thought they would. I have conversations with my peers, and there’s one thing we agree upon: At times, life as a wild-life creator feels unfair.
And it is unfair.
Just because we’re doing something in life that we love doing, it seems to me that we have to fight.
Fight to be seen. Fight to be paid properly.
Constantly having to argue why we’re deserving of our rate. And frequently, we get replaced by someone younger. Cheaper. Less experienced or just more desperate.
It’s also unfair that, as a community, we often build these non-verbal agreements of jealousy, competition and comparison.
I’ve been guilty of the above in the past but never understood why.
It seems to me that life is hard enough as an artist.
Why not hold each other’s hands and jump through the meadow together?
Why not cheer each other on?
Support our dreams and visions?
We’re, after all, the only ones understanding each other’s complexity. Depth. Despair. And hope for a better future.
I’m tired of arguing why I deserve my place in this creative wilderness. Mainly with the person I see in the mirror.
When clients jump off because I’ve decided to put my feet down and ask for proper payment, I question myself and my decision.
Which is crazy! I don’t see a lawyer asking for less than their worth. Why are we creatives expected to do so?
When I start to feel good about myself and life, fear sneaks into the room, whispering: Don’t you dare get too comfortable. Life as an artist ain’t no pony ride in the park.
Is there another way to experience life as an Artist?
Is there a way for us artists to feel the depth of life and do so without suffering?
Is it possible to move forward in life and support our fellow wild-life creators?
Is there a way to appreciate and celebrate all we do right now while we’re working towards a better reality?
I believe so – I WANT to believe so.
I believe the depth of experiencing life that we often transform into Art comes from being able to feel strongly.
Whether its joy, happiness, gratitude, pain, vulnerability, or disappointment.
I believe all feelings matter and are to be felt. Like a stream of water, they flow through us. And for use to use those emotions and translate them into Art comes naturally.
However, it is important not to hold on to them.
It’s okay to slow down and important to rest & release.
You can create Art even when you feel good.
I also believe that if we start to support other artists in their dreams, visions, and ideas, we can create new agreements..
If we connect as a collective, we grow stronger.
We can stand up for each other’s rights. And cheer each other on.
I want to keep my eyes open for my peers and shout from across this wilderness:
YOU KEEP GOING!
I know it’s hard right now, but you got this!
You’re born to do this.
You’re born to be unique. Wild & creative.
You’re born to feel and express yourself freely.
And I also believe that if we keep looking into that mirror and high five ourselves instead of agreeing with the disrespect some of the lions roar our way, we can build a new reality for ourselves.
Yes, some phases might be more uncomfortable. And you notice things are changing, aching.
But we’re deserving to move forward and onward.
Always growing. Always emerging.
And we can’t bring dead weight with us.
We can’t hold on to people and their energies that no longer support the version we are right now.
The only way to create a new reality is to let go of the old.
Fellow creatives, let’s roar together.
Yes, this creative life is a wild one, and you and I both know we wouldn’t want it any other way.
However, wild doesn’t mean suffering.
Wild means that it’s safe to go out there and create whatever your heart is longing for.
It means that we’re accepted and appreciated for who we are, what we do and what we create.
This wilderness accepts the minds that go far, the feelings that go deep, and the hearts that long for something bigger, better, brighter.
I, for one, am rooting for a gentler, more supportive and softer world.
One where we dance with the lions.
Suffering sometimes.
Trusting yourself and life at all times.
I’m roaring for you,
Anja x
What do you think? Do you believe you need to suffer to create Art? I’d love to hear from you.
Email me, anja@mindfulbeautiful.com, or via the contact form bellow. 🙂