Thoughts on The War of Art…
After completing the audiobook, “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, I waited silently sitting in my car for in front of this Yemeni coffee shop. It’s like the author knew exactly what many artist experience on this everyday journey of pursing creativity. Towards the end of the book, the author talks about the reasons we do art, asking if we aim for the hierarchy or the territory? Do we do something basing the idea on what’s trendy, popular, or what might sell? Or do we give more attention to birth whatever it is that’s growing inside us for its sake?
So, I’m sitting in the driver’s seat quietly meditating on this question… searching myself for answers. For me, I end up making art from what I am inspired by or want to personally create. Rarely does it come from thinking, “Hm, I wonder if other people will like this and want to buy it?” Really, I only care if I like it! But of course, if I am making something for someone else, I hope it connects with them and they enjoy it. I’m more concerned with growing into who I am as an artist and as a person, and that requires me working with different ideas and experimenting, you know… playing around until you see what you see and say, “Wow, that works! I love it!” Repeat. It also requires me to learn from my experiences and from others’ expertise or experiences.
It felt reassuring to hear someone reiterate the importance of making art just for its sake. I’m not sure why I would need that kind of reassurance— a little sad that I even have to say that out loud. In this day and age, monetizing every hobby or skill that you have cannot be more encouraged. On one hand, it is a smart choice to support yourself through your personal skills. Although some activities I do just because I like it— it’s fun and makes me feel more like myself. Could that be enough? I have struggled basing my “success” off selling paintings. When I complete a painting that contains all the elements I hoped for, I can stand back and say, “Wow, I love this.” In that moment, the entire process I may have gone through to complete the painting is brought together— and I feel so purposeful. I feel so excited to share it with the world, hoping it can speak to or encourage someone like it did for me. It feels like an extension of myself— a way to communicate thoughts or feelings that cannot be written. To me, this is success, whether paintings sell or not. I personally need to hear that more often to remain grounded in who I am. You are valuable because you are the only one who is going to make that piece the way that you do— Your experiences, your brokenness, your voice, your tears, your inspiration… Money comes and money goes, but no one can take those values from you.
I’m not trying to say it isn’t important or good to want to earn from your work, but in a world saturated with the idea that something is only valuable if there is monetary value can be discouraging. I think it’s important to remember that having the opportunity to create is a beautiful gift. We can miss that when we are caught up in chasing this perfect version of what we think success looks like. The author gently reminds us that Van Gough painted masterpieces and didn’t sell a single one in his lifetime (I did not realize this). Does that make him an unsuccessful painter? He mastered his craft. Maybe that’s the most important part about this journey we are on.
