As I wandered through the aisles of art at Crossroads Art Center in Richmond, Virginia yesterday, I was struck by the gigantic reaches from the heart I saw everywhere. While the artwork ranged from realistic to abstract, most all of it displayed the light and life of creativity. Looking at it made me wonder if there is a loss of creative force for artist and writers whose work grows in popularity, and they gain fame and fortune. Are these artists drawn to continue to create the same work over and over that made them financially successful? Will these creative people become less likely to take chances? Will they become static with their books and art? Will they lose the joy?I wonder if the joy is in the journey. Along the way in life, we see lost souls who found success but lost the joy.
Success for the writer and for the artist might not be monetary at all. It might instead be found in watching a sunset and discovering new life in the colors there. It might be the discovery of an inspirational design among the spokes of an ordinary wheel. It might be words written while gazing into a star-lit night.
Earlier today, I saw this quote in another artist's blog. I believe strongly in the truth of it:
“The world will never be happy until all men have the souls of artists.” - Auguste Rodin
We must strive as artists and as writers to never lose that soul. The world needs happiness. It needs creative spirit.
Thanks to The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts Sheena-kay Graham, Julie Musil, Jamie Ayres, and Mike Swift . Thank all of you for your hard work making this monthly event possible.
10 comments:
I lose the joy, I'm stopping. I don't want to become a shell.
Good for you, Alex!
I hadn't seen that quote today. Thanks for sharing it!
I totally believe writers have the ability to bring happiness to the world. At least an escape from the day to day struggles and trials people go through.
Artists will always find the beauty, find the inspiration, and find the soul in their creativity. I'm sure with great success some of it might be lost...
But I believe that soul is never lost, at some point the artist will step back from the fame and recluse back into their true vision of art, because a TRUE artist will never give up their creative soul, no matter how much fame and fortune is thrown at them.
Thanks for visiting, Julie, and thanks for the follow.
Stephen, when I watch the 11 p.m. news here, I truly wish there were more artist/writer people in the world. How can there be so much crime? It's sad.
Michael,I like your point. I suspect those who are NOT true artists are the ones who succumb to worldly pleasures and relinquish their creative souls!
I believe writers, no matter how "skilled" they are, will be able to bring joy to others in the world.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Yes, Gina, writers are capable of a lot. If they use their abilities for the greater good, that's wonderful, but sometimes we get lost along the way. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Monti .. we certainly need creative spirits in all walks of life; I'd have thought success should have opened more avenues and one would be more creative and be able to help others so much more ..
Cheers Hilary
That's the way it should be, Hilary, and it is for some. But there are those who do not handle success as well as they should. Thanks for stopping by.
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