Much has been said about art and creativity. People often tell me how lucky I am “to be born with creative talent” and how they wish they were also “a creative person” .
Let me dispel this false idea on creativity. Let’s look at the definition of the word “create” as per the Meriam-Webster Dictionary:
a. to produce through imaginative skill
b. to bring into existence
My point is that we are ALL capable of using our imagination and creating something as a result! Whether it’s making a delicious meal, a beautiful garden, a knitted sweater or a new dance step, each of these creations is as unique as the person creating it!
So let’s get back to making a living from your art. The first step is to use your imagination and create some art that communicates to someone else, that they want to have on their wall to enjoy.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced — Vincent Van Gogh
The next step is to bring into existence the state of affairs where you are making a comfortable living from your art. Just as much energy and cleverness – and sometimes more — needs to go into making this happen as creating the art form in the first place.
“He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”
― Francis of Assisi
This is where the fun begins, where you need to get bright and let others know about your work. There is no reason you could not get as much joy from this form of creativity as producing the art itself!
Here is a wonderful quote that helped me tremendously. I have it posted up in my studio.
The Joy of Creating
Force yourself to smile and you’ll soon stop frowning,
Force yourself to laugh and you’ll soon find something to laugh about,
Wax enthusiastic and you’ll very soon feel so.
A being causes his own feelings.
The greatest joy there is in life is creating.
Splurge on it!
— L. Ron Hubbard
In my next article I list “19 Ways to Promote and Sell Your Art”. These are the actions that I took to get Leisa Collins Art rolling, in terms of the business and promotional side of things.
