FEELING GOOD ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST

The other week I read an article from the Globe and Mail by Judith Timson. In the article she discusses the legitimate worries of people in the arts and people with artists as children. In fact Timson spoke to many of the issues that I had written about in my last blog – the struggles with money and support. But Timson makes a few points that perhaps I missed.

First, she presents some sound advice from the executive director of Arts Etobicoke Louise Garfield. Garfield points out some of the benefits of choosing an art career. Garfield says that artists led lives that are full of “…vibrancy of their intellect and emotions. Adventure, exploration, drama, deep feeling, playfulness, hilarity, camaraderie and FUN!”

On top of all that loveliness Garfield also mentions that artists are actually pretty good financial managers. Why would that be? Well we are all pretty used to tight budgets!

Ok so if that doesn’t make you want to be an artist than maybe Timson’s reference on how artists influence history will. How could I have forgotten that some of the most interesting characters in history are artists? Perhaps I am being naive but I would say that most people know by name the biggest rock legends, classical musicians, play writes, artists and dancers in history … but how many doctors, lawyers and business executives come to mind? (not to say that those others are not all very important historical figures as well)

Let us also not forget the words of Queen Victoria: “ Beware of artists – they mix with all classes of society and are therefore most dangerous”

So if you’re feeling down about choosing to be an artists maybe it would help to think about the amazing people you will meet on your artistic journey, the power you hold by being creative and free thinking, the life lessons you will learn when you pave the rocky road to stardom and joy you will spread to others when you share your creations.

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