Discontent is the pinnacle of artistic clichés.
“My audience isn’t big enough.”
“My product isn’t fast enough.”
“My project does have enough money behind it.”
Forgive me for being frank, but these comments, and all others like them, are nothing more than excuses. Excuses are the enemy of progress, and therefore, the enemy of art.
At some point, every artist runs into the problem of not having enough money, connections, or influence. These moments can either cripple us with pride and self-pity, or we can humble ourselves and do one simple thing, ask for help.
It was a dark day for humanity when it became shameful to ask for help. Nowadays we avoid it at all cost because asking for any type of assistance means admitting some sort of inability within ourselves. And who would ever want to do that? Asking for help forces us to become vulnerable, reach out, and connect with someone.
Wait a minute, doesn’t that sound familiar? Isn’t this exactly what we were trying to do with our art in the first place?
“I want to create art that will help connect people, but I don’t want to have to connect with anyone in the process.”
Pardon me again for the frankness, but that’s hypocritical and borderline stupid.
Art and creativity are so vital to the human experience because they push us to the ends of ourselves, forcing us to reach out and depend on one another if we want to keep going. I think perhaps this is why God is so fond of art, because it forces us into community with one another.
I think James, the writer in the Bible, had it right when he said, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Don’t be afraid, or too proud. to ask.
“My audience isn’t big enough.”
“My product isn’t fast enough.”
“My project does have enough money behind it.”
Forgive me for being frank, but these comments, and all others like them, are nothing more than excuses. Excuses are the enemy of progress, and therefore, the enemy of art.
At some point, every artist runs into the problem of not having enough money, connections, or influence. These moments can either cripple us with pride and self-pity, or we can humble ourselves and do one simple thing, ask for help.
It was a dark day for humanity when it became shameful to ask for help. Nowadays we avoid it at all cost because asking for any type of assistance means admitting some sort of inability within ourselves. And who would ever want to do that? Asking for help forces us to become vulnerable, reach out, and connect with someone.
Wait a minute, doesn’t that sound familiar? Isn’t this exactly what we were trying to do with our art in the first place?
“I want to create art that will help connect people, but I don’t want to have to connect with anyone in the process.”
Pardon me again for the frankness, but that’s hypocritical and borderline stupid.
Art and creativity are so vital to the human experience because they push us to the ends of ourselves, forcing us to reach out and depend on one another if we want to keep going. I think perhaps this is why God is so fond of art, because it forces us into community with one another.
I think James, the writer in the Bible, had it right when he said, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Don’t be afraid, or too proud. to ask.
