Why I create art
Why do I create art? I get asked this by many individuals when I am at an art show or when i am drawing on a flight somewhere. I usually give them a simple answer…because I love it. Now that I think about it. There is more to it than just love the act of creating art. At least for me. Throughout my life I had many reasons why I create art.
At first creating art was enjoyable, especially as a child when your parents and family praise you for your talent. So I was creating to show my family what I did. Who doesn’t want to make their parent proud and hear those compliments and praises. Seeking praise went on for a while up until middle school.
Middle school and high school i created art only because of school, to make money, and win awards in art competitions. It was no longer for enjoyment just a responsibility to get a good grade, win a ribbon or plaque and to have some money in my pocket.
Now that I am older my reason why I create art is for my self care and mental health. Yes, making money to do what I love is a plus but overall it’s an escape from reality for me. I love to read a good fiction or fantasy book to keep my imagination alive. Art is that for me. I can teach through my art with my erotic pieces (that’s another blog). Bring light and awareness on mental health, which is something I was doing in high school and didn’t even realize it at the time. I create art to bring togetherness, spark an intellectual conversation, and to tell a story. I create art to step away from adulthood and the stressors that come with it and tap into my imagination to feel at peace and relaxed. If I am experiencing depression I can communicate how I feel through something I create. Something I have done in the past is paint or draw my dreams to decipher their meaning.
Some of my most meaningful emotional art never make it to social media. My sketchbook is like a diary for me to create without boundaries or judgement. I create art because it’s part of who I am and what I love.
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls” – Pablo Picasso