ART
ART
August 31, 1998
There’s family. There’s work. And there is self. It’s difficult these days to keep those three parts balanced. Each part can be so demanding. Each part constantly conflicts with the others. That’s life. That’s the way it’s always been. That’s the way it is, constant conflict and trying to stay in balance. That’s the way it will be.
And then there’s art. How can one add art to life and live in healthy balance? I find this difficult to do, almost impossible. I find it almost impossible just to juggle the first three tasks of family, work and self. But then to add art! How can it be done? I’ve complained and written about this issue in the past and I’m sure I’ll have more to say and write in the future concerning this continuing conflict. That’s life, my life, the life of an artist.
I’m not writing about art as a spectator sport where one enjoys the fruits of someone else’s labors, such as reading a book, going to a concert, or looking at paintings in a museum. This type of art activity can be placed under the category of personal pleasure and recreation or under family time. And I’m not writing about doing art projects or craft activities for the fun of it, as a hobby or an avocation. For example: refinishing furniture, making lawn ornaments, sewing, playing an instrument in the community band, flower gardening, painting ceramics, ballroom dancing, cooking, and baking. All of these arts and crafts activities are wonderful and valuable ways to add to the quality of life for one’s self, family, or community. Some of these activities can provide some additional income and so become work-like activities. For the most part, these activities, along with the spectator arts, can be added to life and in the process add to the quality of life without costing much time, money, or energy in relation to the benefits gained. These activities help us maintain health and balance in our lives.
What I’m talking about is Art, art with a capital A; that type of Art that is a gift, a talent that is invested in by self and others over a long time. I’m talking about Art that comes out of one’s self and has a spiritual quality to it, that has a life of its own. Art with passion! I’m talking about that type of Art that is a calling, beyond the call of duty to work, family, or self.
How do you add this Art to your life and stay in balance? This Art is not cheap. It demands as much time, money, and energy as it can get, constantly conflicting with self, family, and work. The cost is great; the benefits cannot always be justified. Others seldom understand. I have a hard enough time explaining it to myself and still I don’t understand. Art is something I don’t really have a choice about anymore. It’s an obligation. It’s something I can’t simply walk away from. Not now, it’s too late. Art and life are too connected to separate.
For some people art is their work. That is my goal: to have my art be my job, to have my art feed me, and to provide for my family. This would greatly simplify my life. I could spend my work time doing my artwork and still have time for family and self. The constant conflict would be of normal proportion with a greater chance of healthy balance. But at present I am not so lucky to have my art be my work. I seem destined to continue to struggle towards that end like many or most artists: the poets, writers, actors, musicians, painters, dancers, singers, and songwriters of the world who are trying to emerge.
It’s a hard life, the life of an artist. It’s difficult to maintain balance and health. The constant conflict is intense. Time, money, and energy spent on art is at the expense of family, work, and self. To persevere, with the hope that it will some day pay off is a risky business.
The rewards? Some joy, pleasure, satisfaction. A life of emotions. A life of challenging struggle, of adventure and learning. A life full of life! And who knows, maybe, recognition, understanding, and a livable wage. Who knows? And who knows when? Art. Is it worth it? Most days, yes. But some days, I wonder.