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.
