Continuing on she said: "Your writing is almost archaic... a strange use of the language that sometimes makes it difficult to read. Some Streams that I read are way over my head... I really don't know what you are writing about."
"Hmmm...." I rubbed my chin with my right hand not knowing how to respond to that. She said it very matter of factly. There was no hint of meanness or negativity of any sort... just that.
My various types of creativity went thru mind... early days of writing, painting, photography all the way up to the present. I have lots of writings, from poems to haiku, from passing thoughts to a short story or two... and my image making - I still have my first oil painting, probably my first acrylic and several canvases and works on paper going back many years. There is a collection of photos going way back to my pre-teen years up thru the digital age. I've done a lot that is not on this list. Why would anyone continue doing this creative thing and not get paid for it?
I have sold very few in comparison to the output of any forms of creativity. SooZen is right! There is little audience. Not unusual in the world of the arts. There are many more artists than there are "known artists"... which is no surprise. It happens in any field or profession. Even friends who know me rather well know about my artwork, obviously from doing shows, but have no idea that I write. Sure some do but the feedback is negligible... like SooZen maybe they have no idea what I'm writing about, either.
It takes a determination to do what others ignore or have no interest in doesn't it? If we only listen to other's opinions and not our own inner voices we more than likely wouldn't accomplish those things that are dear to our hearts. And that is what makes or breaks any artist, any dreamer of ideas, anyone that entertains their imagination. On one hand the artist must create and the other is an audience for ones' creations. One feeds off the other.
How long can an artist create without any acknowledgment, any appreciation, any kudos of any sort before they kill their creativity? That would depend upon how important it is for them to continue creating. Some artists live for years creating their works in the shadows of mystery, not having any audience at all until after they die. Although few would choose this path, it goes to show how important the creative fires burn within some people... nothing can put it out but their own death.
cecil
06 april 2008
from a wonderful series I call "Simon Slapp's", this was done several years ago but still is fresh and colorful today... even more so some would say.