Mortality, an artist's perspective

Mortality, an artist's perspective

To create, or not to create? This question I have been asking myself for years. I have come a long way as an artist, having begun in the fall of ’99. In the beginning, I was a hobbyist with no aspirations to be anything more. However, as I became more comfortable with what I was doing, I found that I could translate what was inside of me into actual images to be shared with the world. I suppose that was where I emerged from the cocoon. No longer was I a hobbyist… but an artist. Believe me, it took a long time for me to allow myself to accept the title. While art will never be a career, it certainly is an aspect of who I am as a human being.

In the early days, when I shared my work there was plenty of communication. I belonged to many communities dedicated to artwork, and the number of people sharing their thoughts was considerable. As the nature of my work became more real, more relatable, the feedback followed suit. I became aware of just how important art can be. Between the comments left, and the connections made through email, it felt like I was accomplishing something important. However, time has a way of changing the way things look and feel.

I see it all around me… the breakdown of basic communication. Whether it be social media, or the world at large… people are not communicating the way they used to. This causes me to wonder at the importance of sharing my work. I have my website, a Facebook page, as well as a fan page for my personal website. Finally, there is my online store and the community of artists associated with that. In short, many people can see what I am creating and sharing. But, if people do not communicate, how can I know if I am having any impact?

Are people viewing my work? If so… are fewer thoughts being shared because my work lacks merit? Take Facebook as an example: when I share an image, a handful of people will click ‘like’ but leave no comment. While I appreciate the ‘like’, I also see people do the same thing when somebody shares a photo of the food they are about to eat. Is the ‘like’ a simple politeness extended by friends and family? It’s impossible to know. One has to wonder. The communication that I DO receive is truly humbling and deeply appreciated. It’s just that the level of communication is a fraction of what it once was. I would be a liar if I said this hasn’t been a cause for concern.

To create, or not to create?

I must admit that the communication received over the years has had a fundamental impact on how I view the importance of what I am creating. This is not a matter of vanity. If you look at the nature of my work, you will find that it is certainly not going to have a commercial impact. No. I am trying to create imagery that people can look at, think about, and maybe even relate to. I don’t create with the idea that my imagery is going to ‘tie the room together’. I am trying to awaken minds, or help people with their own struggles. So, the answer to the question is simple: I must create. But what does this have to do with mortality?

In this world I am a grain of sand in the desert. The winds of time will one day blow me away and there will be few to know that I ever existed. My loved ones will remember me for all that I have meant to them. The friends made along the way will have memories to hold onto.

Beyond that… what is there?

The realist in me says that there is nothing. Nothing at all. However, there is another part of me. The Artist. It was The Artist aspect of me who wrote this. Perhaps it is a perversely arrogant hope that my art, such as it is, can be remembered when I am not. Maybe some of what I create will still hang around someplace long after I am gone. Perhaps it can continue to open minds or help others with their struggles. The artist part of me believes that art has the power to do just that. If I keep delving deep inside, maybe I will find something that will truly matter to more than a handful of people. Maybe if I keep listening to that inner voice, and seeing through my minds eye, I can do something that will somehow help others in this world. This is why I create.