Repeat after me: I am an Artist!

Even though artists like Rembrandt and Da Vinci, Monet and Matisse, Picasso and Pollock set the stage for greatness in their spheres, there is still a view that artistic pursuit is not as important as other academic or physical pursuits. Artists still have the stigma attached as struggling, art educators still have to wrangle in order to get the necessary resources to teach children and adult alike and they still have to lobby so that their art program isn't cut from under them.

It can be very discouraging for a young artist trying to establish himself, especially in this tough economic climate to be told that maybe he should try another avenue or get a 'real job'. I have had experiences where  kids in my art classes started doing poorly because they were made to feel that what they were doing: creating new and innovative things was not important or they thought that it was nothing big so they came in and caved when they realised the level of discipline being an artist requires. Even as professionals we allow ourselves to be seen as whimsical and dramatic so that we can be 'seen' but unless we demand it, our chosen path is hardly taken seriously by the wider world. (Of course I must interject here that not every one views the arts as unnecessary but not enough see it as important).

The importance of our place as artists can get lost. Lost in our becoming brainwashed into thinking that we are just 'artists' (as if it's a bad word); lost in the hustle of trying to get 'there' wherever there is.
I guess that's why for my first ever art blog post  (yes I do have my own blog but you have to admit, writing an article on art for a very public audience, is another thing entirely) I wanted to remind us that what we do as artists cannot be discounted.
As artists we play a pivotal role in society's wellness. Ours is to supply the beauty in the midst of all the ugly, the voice to express the feelings of anxiety and chaos that is felt but can't be expressed (Hey even Munch had his place and purpose). We are the pictorial historians of days and life gone by and the balance that provides a base for all other subject matter to make sense.
The bottom line is believe in what you do and who you are. You are an artist and no matter what, your role is a crucial one. What you do is meaningful. Some may say that I'm overstating the fact but there had to be a little artistic flair in Eddison for him to come up with the design for the lightbulb.
Cheers!Even though artists like Rembrandt and da Vinci, Mone and Matisse, Picasso and Pollock set the stage for greatness in their spheres, there is still a view that artistic pursuit is not as important as other academic or physical pursuits. Artists still have the stigma attached as struggling, art educators still have to wrangle in order to get the necessary resources to teach children and adult alike. It can be very discouraging for a young artist trying to establish himself, especially in this tough economic climate and the importance of our place as artists can get lost in the hustle of trying to get 'there' wherever there is.
I guess that's why for my first ever art blog (yes I do have my own blog but you have to admit writing for a very public audience is another thing entirely) I wanted to remind us that what we do as artists cannot be discounted.
As artists we play a pivotal role in society's wellness. Ours is to supply the beauty in the midst of all the ugly, the voice to express the feelings of anxiety and chaos that is felt but can't be expressed (Hey even Munch had his place and purpose). We are the pictorial historians of days and life gone by and the balance that provides a base for all other subject matter to make sense.
The bottom line is believe in what you do and who you are. You are an artist and no matter what your role is a crucial one. Some may say that I'm overstating the fact but there had to be a little artistic flair in Eddison to come up with the design for the lightbulb.
Cheers!