One of the first principles that Julia Cameron talks about in her book The Artist’s Way is a need for support as an artist. In the very first chapter, she talks about healing the parts of our creative journey where we were discouraged from following creative pursuits. Upon reading the first few sentences, I am reminded of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The Unites States’s emphasis on capitalism and mass production has us thinking that art is at the top of that pyramid, only those who have basic needs met get the opportunity to express themselves creatively. As someone who has been in a place of tremendous need and also been in a place of abundance, it is true that trying to find the time and energy to follow our creative needs feels difficult and frivolous. I would say that the best time to be free enough to do this is in children, yet, our schools do not seem to care or focus on art as an important piece of education. We are lucky in Greenville that we have the fine arts center, a place that I felt accepted and free to be myself, yet, there are many who don’t see the benefit of creative expression. It’s frustrating and it feels like a departure from the cultures that helped define who we are and were as people. Some of my favorites subjects to explore with my kids have been the folklore and traditions passed down between generations throughout the world. It’s a shame we don’t see the value in that anymore.
Art has an eloquent way of passing down moral traditions without the shame and guilt of our current utilitarian approach. Anytime that I have something I want to teach the kids, I always look for a book, a story, showing what I want them to learn before even attempting to talk to them about it directly. One benefit is that it is someone else showing them how to succeed so they are more apt to listen, the other is that it’s done in a way that is interesting. Somewhere along the way we switched to this puritanical way of moving through the world, one devoid of flavor and nuance. In the chase of sophistication, we left behind the ability to play, make mistakes, and create stuff.
I want to mention that I am not talking about the fine art world. I thought I wanted to be a part of that world as a photographer, but based on the way one has to operate in order to get a chance is not the enjoyable part for me. As horrible as I think social media can be, the greatest benefit is that it has allowed artists who dont’ have the connections or resources to still actually share their art. it has put the power back into the hands of the people vs the elite. It has made art accessible to many others. Here is the thing, the beauty and benefit of art is not in the selling and buying of it.That is our entire issue, our focus on the financial success of the artist. There is this idea that if you are not selling your art & making money, it is useless. The value of art comes in its creation, the artists path toward self discovery and self expression. I think back on all of my photography classes. Yes, I was learning how to create a technically good image, but what I truly got out of each of those workshops was connection to a larger community and knowledge about my inner world. I do not think that I would have become the person I am today without exploring my own creative expression.
I know that I am speaking from a place of privilege in that I have the time and resources to develop this piece of myself. And that truly is the point, I don’t want it to be something that only the comfortable can do. I wish that every person could have the opportunity explore something interesting about themselves without worrying about turning it into a career. I want people to develop hobbies for themselves and do things just for the joy of doing them.
“Timid young artists, adding parental fears to their own, often give up their sunny dreams of artistic careers, settling into the twilight world of could-have-beens and regrets..”
~Julia Camera, The Artists Way, Chapter 1
In this chapter, she is referring to families encouraging their children to become lawyers instead of artists. What I am saying is that, even if one doesn’t want to have a career in the arts, or it hasn’t worked out that way, to continue exploring that art form anyway, because the time spent creating the art feeds the soul of the artist who makes it as well the people who get to experience it.
Visual arts like painting & illustration, performing arts like dance and theater, the art of writing, there are so many different ways to connect to a piece of ourselves that lives deep within our bodies and souls. The process of creating art allows us to touch a part of ourselves that is unique to us. It gives us time to be quiet and to connect a higher source. It’s an integral part of being a human and has been an important piece of culture throughout centuries. While some may think cutting the arts out of school is the way to go, I think putting more of our money and resources into the arts programs at school should be the way to go. Teach our children how to connect with themselves and express themselves artistically and I wonder if that would help with the anxiety that plagues our youth.
Hopefully, my post today isn’t too soapboxish. The first part of my adult life was focused on making money and finding stability. I had kids and a lot of that was just surviving, but it was also when I began to pick up a camera. I think keeping that piece for myself was instrumental in keeping me afloat through the loneliness of early motherhood. Art has truly been therapy for me and why I feel so passionate about it. We have made great, technological strides over the years, I wonder when we can swing the pendulum back to a place where we value both productivity and rest. When we value a hard day’s work and luxurious, slow days. It’s all needed and it all has a place.
