The Artist's Path

One thing I’ve learned about being an artist is that no one else will tell you that you must create.  An artist needs to have their own belief in what they have been most equipped to do. This takes an incredible amount of courage and also: self-love.  And not in a pumped up ego kind of way, but in a way that you truly believe that you are a worthy person and it is right to trust your inner voice.

To be an artist you also need to be incredibly self-motivated (some people like to have a buddy to work with or do a 30 Day Drawing Challenge!).  Creating is difficult when you are tired or distracted.  It helps to know how to manage your energy, focus and time; for example, by doing your creative work at times when you are naturally alert, making time for self care and limiting distractions, which these days means turning off your phone (artists are so easily distracted).  It is also invaluable to have people in your life that will love and support you throughout this journey – which they will when they see how happy it makes you.

Lately, I feel like I am looking at the big picture of my life from above and seeing all the many experiences that are behind me (there are probably more behind me now than will be ahead).  I feel like I have followed a path to get to this spot – one partly worn by others who have been before me, one I may have chosen or that will open in new directions ahead as I pay attention.  I imagine that when I am on this path that everything is fine.

You might call this “the artist’s path”.  It is one that requires courage, self-love, time-management, self awareness, support of others and the will to keep going despite obstacles.  Ultimately you are in charge of how you spend your time and only you can tell yourself that you must create.  Find your path.

Image:  Hidden Valley, acrylic on canvas, 12″ x 36″