The World Needs Your Art More Than Ever
Don’t let them stifle your creativity.
Have you noticed what every single bad government, terrible leader, and zealot has in common? They disrespect and even disdain art and artists. People eager to censor and ban books and art tend to be in a place of power, real or imagined, and feel the need to defend themselves.
Why do they loathe artists? Because creatives are free-thinkers. They aren’t part of the flock or the herd, and they even go so far as to reject the order of things. Creatives don’t just add color, light, and thought to the world. They shine lights on things kept in shadow and show how things can be made better.
Yes, I know, I’m generalizing here. But when you think about it, some of the most impressive parts of history are the arts left behind. Soaring architecture, delicate sculpture, colorful paint, words on paper, and the like – all of these give us perspective we can utilize to learn from the past and build better in the future.
But the only way to do this is to be here in the now. And making art is an act that is an expression of a singular moment in time.
Despite the madness of the world at large, the world needs your art more than ever.
Hope in the face of madness
I keep striving to spend less and less time on social media. Doesn’t matter the platform; even well-meaning friends often share stark and depressing reminders of where shit is happening. Whether it’s the latest utterly ludicrous statement from this leader or that, the abuse of AI, or the maltreatment of one “other” or another, it’s in your face.
I’m not advocating for ignorance in any way. No, it’s important to be aware that shit’s happening. But what I’m on about is how deep you dive into any given situation. It takes very, very little to feel doomy and gloomy about the world. Catastrophizing and examining worst-case scenarios has become a perverse art form.
Finding the line between knowing and overwhelming is on each of us. Some people are content to be aware but not hyper-aware, while others need as much as they can get. But if that obliterates your hope, makes you constantly on edge and scared, does that do you any good? How does that help you choose and decide who, what, where, how, and why you are?
Art is an act of hope. Creating anything artistic opens the creator, but it can also engage and inspire others. There are many forms to choose from, some subtle and some blatant, but they offer hope in the face of madness.
Depth is a matter of perspective. There’s as much value in anime as there is in literary fiction. If you’re a creative and inspired to make art, go for it.
The world needs art
I have nothing against STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs. Science, tech, engineering, and math are how you get iPhones, adaptive cruise control in your car, and people to the moon. But these are not more important or valuable than art.
I’d also argue that the elements that go into STEM also go into art. STEM leads to new discoveries that can make the world a better, more helpfully connected, more reasonable place.
The problem is when people in positions of authority abuse their power. Unfortunately, we are seeing awful examples of this in government and business circles more and more. Leaders weaponizing fear and executives paying their employees squat while making more money than they could utilize in a hundred lifetimes is disheartening, to say the least.
They want you to be afraid, to constantly react to them, to believe their bullshit. That’s why the world needs your art more than ever. That book, painting, graphic, tapestry, or whatever might inspire someone. It might awaken their imagination and help them find their empowerment.
The impact of art can’t be overstated. It’s easy to take it for granted. Without it, no matter what form it takes, the world is less vibrant, less energized, and more despondent.
Don’t let them stifle your creativity
It’s far too easy to be overwhelmed by messages about what you should do to contribute to society. Get in line. March to that drum. Keep your head down and do as you’re expected to do.
The problem is that there is no One Size Fits All. There’s no One True Way. We are one in a world with over 8 billion people in it. Every single one of those 8,000,000,000+ people has their own unique perspective. Hell, even among everyone you know personally, while you find similarities, you have differences and are individual.
The message from most leaders is that individuality is all well and good – to a point. As soon as it challenges the status quo, it needs to be kept in check. Granted, some challenges are not healthy or good – such as going backwards to a time that never truly existed, like the idealized 1950s. But progress is necessary for growth and evolution. When the status quo is in the way of that or actively fighting it, we need the creatives to step in and step up.
Art is creativity manifested. Making art channels you and who, what, where, how, and why you are in a way nothing else can. The creative process brings imagination to the forefront and is an act of empowerment. When you’re empowered, you become capable of more than you might believe yourself to be. And that, in turn, can show others how and where to find their own empowerment.
Art for you and everyone
It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur or a professional. Making art empowers you. It’s an act that can be undertaken by nobody else, and provides something unique in the world that might not have been there before.
You might only inspire yourself. But when you’re inspired, you’re empowered. That sense of being lit up, of feeling like you can do something, is tremendous. This is where you can be your most genuine, authentic self.
Art in its many forms is a source of power and empowerment. It adds color, light, vibrancy, and hope to the world. And you can never have too much of these.
What if your art is dark, moody, and brooding? Doesn’t matter. It can still inspire. Just because your art reflects depression and sadness doesn’t mean it contributes to the doom-and-gloom. On the contrary, it opens a channel for others to express their feelings and ultimately choose/decide to change them – or not. The act of creativity and bringing a new book, painting, recipe, or song into the world empowers.
That’s why “they” want to stifle creativity. If more people feel empowered, “they” lose their followers and negative influence. If your calling is to make art, be the artist you desire to be and share with the world what you’ve got.
Thanks for reading. As I share my creative journey with you, please consider this:
How are you inspired and empowered to be your own authentic creator, whatever form that takes?
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