If you’re living your heartfelt dream as an artist you might be in the minority. Our world is filled with people who gave up on their aspirations and have settled for less. Several years ago I read an article in The New York Times that revealed: “Many of the people who seem to have it ‘all’ harbor dreams about “the road not taken” and referred to a study that claimed among chief executives, 47% said their life-long dream was to be an artist. If you’re trying to keep your dream alive, you may need an infusion of inspiration, encouragement, and advice from artists who say “Follow Your Bliss”. A previous article in this series is “Advice from Artists Who Encourage You to “Never Give Up”
In this article you’ll find motivational statements from prominent artists JoAnne Carson, Peter N. Van Giesen , Nancy Staub Laughlin, and Ober-Rae Starr Livingstone, with links to their in-depth interviews on this website.
You’ll also read comments from 20 artists who offered advice in answer to a question I posted on Facebook.
In an interview with JoAnne Carson on this website, she cites the importance of listening to your own voice and bravery for artists to be successful. She states, “In order to move your work forward, you have to listen to your own voice and allow that to develop over time. It takes patience to hear yourself think and to find out what your artistic problem and preoccupations are. The bravery is the faith to believe in that process. We are full of self-doubts as artists and that is natural. I believe that bravery can steer you beyond those doubts to discover your authentic vision.”
Peter N. Van Giesen is an artist inspired by “The Eternal Aura of Nature”, for him, the act of creating art is “a mystical process, a spiritual work, a gift to be shared.” In an interview on this website when I asked for advice he’d like to offer artists he answered, “First and foremost to create from the heart (don’t worry about ‘finding your voice’ as it’s there to the degree you ‘let go’. Art is the window of the soul)”.
Following your bliss demands that you ignore the naysayers and critics who may not have your best interests at heart. It’s about having the courage and self-confidence to forge ahead in spite of popular trends, fashion, tradition, and the so called experts who claim to have sovereign voice over what’s “hot”, when it’s merely their opinion.
Ober-Rae Starr Livingstone creates breathtaking paintings, as you can see here. He is also on the Board of Directors of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. In his article “Let’s Keep Our Hopes Up”, on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website, he wrote, “I believe that we have a responsibility, whether we believe that we have chosen art or that art has chosen us, to hold the vision of the importance of the gift we have been given and to honor that gift with all of our creative work.”
Following your bliss may be challenging when we are bombarded by so much discourse, conflict and negativity. It’s easy to lose sight of our purposeful vision. Ober-Rae reminds us, “But remember that the way we view the world enters into our creative expression and that expression can move people so much that it is capable of bringing forth a healing of the heart and soul. A healing that is much needed in the world today.”
As a career mentor, whenever an artist asks me to help them decide which artistic direction they should pursue I immediately ask, “What inspires you the most? Where do you feel most authentic in your self-expression?” No one can answer this question for you. Your life as an artist must be in harmony with your core values. As Henry David Thoreau said “Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around.”
I asked Nancy Staub Laughlin who has been interviewed on this website, “Do you have an essential philosophy that guides you in your creative expression?” Her reply was: “It is pretty easy for me… passion and yes, obsession guide me without too many obstacles. Stay true to yourself and grow. People who have followed my career for the past 35 years can still tell even with my newest work, that I am the same evolving artist. That is the ultimate compliment.”
Advice From Facebook Artist Friends
Recently on Facebook I asked the question: “Dear Artist Friends, If you were giving a keynote speech to art school graduates what advice would you give them? Here are a few replies I received from artists who advise artists to “follow your bliss”.
Timothy Eisenhoffer “Your future will bring extreme criticism, and rave reviews. You must brush these off, everyone will view your work in their own way. Never forget they have the right to speak just as you have the right to make a statement, but no one has the right to judge your work, except you.”
Lucy Mhoma “Always be true to yourself, listen to your heart and intuition as this will be the most valuable message to the world through art. Never be afraid of making mistakes… that is how artists become original as there are no mistakes only learning through experiments. Find what inspires your passion and be bold and have courage! The world needs artists more than ever right now! I make a living from empowering and guiding children to think creatively and believe in themselves so they survive in this ever changing world!”
Sandy Spain “The advice my mentor gave me. Don’t ask ‘do you like my art’. Especially to family and friends. Rather, ask ‘what do you think or feel about this’. Regardless of their answer keep being you. You will improve with each painting if you look at each as a lesson.”
Willow Pippa “Follow your instincts. If a teacher or other critic tells you to do something in your painting that is going to change it but you are not feeling it or feel conflicted about the advice, don’t do it!”
Saman Hershemy “Think the opposite of what you learned, enjoy what you do. What he learns in art academies is, thinking about a specific and committed template, and art wants freedom in the vast imagination and it is not necessary to adhere to certain laws that kill new ideas.”
Meenakshi Mohan “First of all, art should be enjoyed for the sake of art. Art is meditation, and melody of heart. To be a true artist first listen to your heart, and not so much with mind as to what your art is going to bring you. It is a process, so paint your dreams, and enjoy each step of it.”
Lisa Freidus “You have been given the gift of recreating the past, present, and future. And through these images, you become a storyteller with the ability to take the viewer on adventures real and imagined. Your paintings will excite, surprise and create an inner peace. It may never bring personal wealth, but the riches you receive are greater, because with a brush, paint and canvas you will be the catalyst for changes in others.”
Mason Mansung Kang “Be straight to follow your humble idea and thought.”
Ricardo Silva Cordero “To be proud of what they chose to do. Some say that what we do is ‘useless’; well, from a utilitarian point of view our work might or could be considered ‘useless’ in a practical, materialistic sense. Nevertheless, our ‘useless’ work does serve a high purpose; it brings about – undeniably – the necessary equilibrium and balance needed for the spiritual appreciation of life and of the aesthetic values and other spiritual manifestations, indispensable for humankind. Yes, to be proud to have chosen an endeavor that follows the emotions of the soul; to have chosen a spiritual profession, not a mere money making trade.”
Cia Lund Torroll “Stay true to your inner vision and voice even if you are out of step with what is considered current.”
Love Eden “Be free of the restraints of conformity and boundaries… invest in the insatiable desire to Create to create, Not for Profit but for JOY whatever your spirit desires and you will never be disappointed or disillusioned in your chosen journey for you will have mastered the innate purpose set forth by your ancestors and Creation itself.”
Vinita Saxena “Be original.. Be different.. Learn from others but create your own identity.”
Leanne Fink “Always paint from the heart. Make time to follow your dreams. Artists are like a fine wine; they get better with age.”
Dennis Sabo “If you are a photographer shoot images that make you happy. If you are a painter paint pictures that make you happy and so on. Happiness is the beginning point to the fuel which is your own inspiration. If you are happy you will be inspired and your body of work will benefit.”
When you “follow your bliss”, it does not mean you shouldn’t also be realistic.
It is healthy to keep your balance.
Judy H. Klich “Your story matters and should be what fuels your passion to create. Following that passion is great but also realize if you want to make a living as an artist you must create something that sells. Find your audience and sell to them. Learn how to be a good business person, sale and marketing. Don’t create in a bubble. Keep up with what others are doing and the bigger picture. Above all you must work hard at all of it to make it a true career.”
Nancy Rodrigo “Be creative in your work by keeping an open mind to everything around you, allow that flexibility to inform your ability to sustain your practice by always cultivating a healthy network of friends, colleagues and peers. Being an artist means having a responsibility to your practice, nurture that! Being a professional artist means being reliable, even tempered, diplomatic and most of all learning to be an effective entrepreneur. Always keep learning, an artist is constantly learning. This is not a sprint, this is a marathon, till your last breath, forget about destination and focus on the path and journey.”
Rosanne Nitti “Follow your dreams and learn the business side of you dreams.”
This article is part of a series based on a question I asked artist friends on Facebook to offer their advice to art school graduates. Read the first article titled Advice from Artists Who Encourage You To “Never Give Up!”. As part of this series, a future article will provide comments from artists who have a lot of practical advice to offer.
Yes, very inspiring comments I can relate to. Yes, I have lived that bliss as Art is woven into the fabric of my life. I have been a portrait artist for over 40 years and am still sketching.