I came across a neat idea recently from Diane Fergurson – she says she found it in a handout that she’d saved from years ago. It describes someone’s perspective on what motivates the artist.
As I read this, I changed the concept a bit in my mind. After all, we each have some portion of creative energy within us, and that creative energy wants to escape. Some folks like the title “artist” next to their name, but in the end, I see us all as artists – we each have our own canvas.
I found 2 or 3 that I thought described the gut of me pretty well – where do you find yourself?
At any rate, here’s what she posted:
- Artist-scientists: These artists have a personal mission that is similar to scientists. They attempt to make the unknown, unseen word…real. They experiment with art simply for the sake of inquiry. Many times they have no interest in finishing what they begin….especially if they have found the answer along the way. Like Einstein, they also believe that whatever the ultimate answer… it must be beautiful.
- Artist-mathematicians: Precision and the harmony of perfection is sought by this group of artists. They often engage themselves through a different language to other artists-mathematicians. Kind of like an art shorthand, similar to mathematicians speaking in formulas. I imagine those artists interested in Sacred Geometry would find motivation in this grouping.
- Artist-explorers: Innovators on a quest to find the new and different. The cannot stand to duplicate or replicate. Their truly original expression has ultimate value and they constantly sharpen and hone that singularity.
- Artist-activists: The creative impulse of these artists stem from the need to rectify an unfair situation or even the playing field. Examples of their causes include the environment, gender or racial equality, reproductive rights, poverty or homelessness.
- Artist missionaries: Artists lit with an inner fire. They have found some sort of answer through their art and need to share it with others.
- Artist-warriors: Artists who take the activist role to an extreme by using their art form to combat forces that they find unreasonable. The artist-warrior is often on a crusade to fight with personal demons or forces. Whereas the activist-artist grapples with external forces, the artist-warrior battles internal ones.
- Artist-healers: Artists who are healers feel that their art can actually mend the mind, body and spirit of an individual. They have a revered way of referring to their art form.
- Artist-mystics: Artists who believe that a higher force is working through them. They believe they are a conduit for the universal power of spirituality, love and enlightenment.