We Hate Art - We Love Art

Artists are creators.

We make things.  We take pride in our ability to have an idea, and bring that idea into existence in the form of a painting, drawing, website, article, or whatever.  Theoretically, creation and creativity are fun and exciting.  Realistically, creation is frustrating; at least, it is for someone like me.

Maybe you're like me.

Idea generation is a skill.  I'm improving, but, for a long time, I haven't been the sort of fellow that comes up with ideas while I'm living.  So, when I need to generate ideas, for a commissioned work or a personal project, I sometimes have a very difficult time deciding what to do.  I second guess myself.  When I decide on an idea and bring it into the world, I'll get frustrated with my execution.  I often miss fundamental errors until I'm finished with the work.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?

For me, then, the entire process is fraught with frustration and failure.

I've discovered that the reason for my frustration is that I have a 2-bit approach to my work.  I either like it, or I hate it.  Success or failure.  Good or bad.

Instead, we can develop, as I've mentioned before, a healthier attitude of curiosity towards our work.  We learn from both success and failure, and always enjoy the process.  It's a process that's focused on discovery.

Why do we love Art?


Because we have the opportunity to contribute.  It feels good to bring beauty into the world; to spread ideas; to be appreciated and respected.

Why do we hate Art?


Because to create is to be criticized, misunderstood, or ignored.  To make art sometimes means to try your best, and to find out that your best isn't good enough.  It may be someday, but not today.

Hugh Macleod has the best advice about making art:  Ignore Everybody.  Do your own thing in your own way.  He draws cartoons on the back of business cards.  He did that for 10 years, just for fun.  Now, he's selling prints and spreading ideas.  Did he ever think that drawing on business cards would become such an important part of his life?  I doubt it.

We can choose to love art instead of hating the process.  We can learn to contribute to the world in our own ways, without listening to the legions of people who don't really know what they're talking about.

We can enjoy the process.  This is your life.  You might as well like it.