James Flynn

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Create art for the love of it....

Posted by James Flynn on April 29, 2013 at 4:00 PM

There was a time in the not so distant past where I was hell bent on becoming a "full time artist".

I love drawing portraits so surely this would be my perfect job wouldn't it?

The short answer is no.

When I look back on the last three years or so I feel depressed and ashamed. I'm proud of my dedication, but my family life suffered in a big way.

Drawing and painting for me has always been something I have done for the love of doing it. No pressure, no money, I just did it.

But it got to the point where I was almost forcing myself to paint something that wasn't really "me" anyway. I managed to have my first solo exhibition, I produced around thirty paintings, all neatly labelled and signed, and I even sold a few. I suppose I could say it was a successful exhibition, I covered the costs and earned a little something on top, but my goal to become a full time artist for now is over.

If i'm honest, even if a friend asks me to draw a portrait i'm inclined to say no. I literally only enjoy creating art when it is in a relaxed, therapeautic manner, when it doesn't matter how it turns out, and ironically they always turn out better when I care less about them.

 

Right now, i'm enjoying my art more than ever, i'm creating portraits to put up on here, twitter, facebook etc, people are seeing them and leaving the odd comment or two and that is more than enough for me.

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5 Comments

Reply nothingprofound
5:03 PM on April 29, 2013 
I have the same attitude toward my writing. I can't imagine doing it with some goal or purpose in mind. I have to do it freely, randomly, aimlessly, or not at all.
Reply Yun Yi
6:31 PM on April 29, 2013 
Glad you enjoy art again. I never believe art should be a profession, so is writing, or any other creativity works. The true motivation of art creativity is to satisfy ourselves. If by chance that our works can support our living, it would be the best, but to deliberately do art for living, usually it would do more harm than good, both for our talent and our material life.
Reply iancochrane
7:03 PM on April 29, 2013 
Well said James.
It's difficult to willingly suffer for our art; & especially difficult for those around us.
Cheers, ic
Reply Kevin D'Arcy
8:53 PM on April 29, 2013 
I think it is possible to make a living doing what you love but there are many trade-offs you have to make in order for it to work. But the bottom line is if trying to make your art your profession is killing your joy than it just isn't worth it. It's the joy that makes the hard times more bearable. Sounds like you made the right decision.
Reply Rum Punch Drunk
12:48 AM on April 30, 2013 
There's a big difference in doing something you love whenever you want to, and doing something you love clearly because you have to, especially when you are being forced to produce it under pressure or to pay the bills. It simply begins to rob you of the love for it.

Sometimes you just need to take a step back, find something else to do for a while and come back to your love when you feel like it. And that's always if one can afford to do so.