What is an Artist? Many can answer that.
Who is an Artist? Again, a common question with a common enough answer...
But...
WHY is an Artist?
Every artist will have an answer to that.
Personally I feel that the Artist is an Artist because s/he is driven by the deep desire to express... And the art-form is the chosen platform for that expression.
And yet, this "Why" is not the question I seek to answer. All artist know that this is true to some extent. This desire to express. It consumes us. Drives us. Sometimes, even defines us. But in that process, we are so consumed by our art, that sometimes, the artist forgets to live - to live a day-to-day normal life.
An artist may ask, what is life without art?
But what happens when your life itself becomes art?
What happens when the art become all consuming? When you are so devoted to your art, so driven by it, so addicted to it, that you cant find time or energy or both, to fulfill your day-to-day chores, activities and responsibilities.
And what happens if it all goes other way round? That you are so submerged under the weight of the daily chores and responsibilities, that you can't find the time or the energy to devote to the expression of your feelings through your art? Would it not feel like being trapped in a polythene bag? Can't see clearly, can't breathe freely... trapped...?
In both cases, the life of an Artist burns out. In the first case, it burns like a candle flame. Bright, but consuming the candle every moment, destroying its very existence .. And in the second case, it burns like a tube-light It serves its purpose of giving the light. But hardly ever inspires wonder or romance...
Is it possible then, to have a balanced life-style? With equal time and energies devoted to both art and to normal life? I think it is. And I think each artist has to struggle to find that fine balance...
Who is an Artist? Again, a common question with a common enough answer...
But...
WHY is an Artist?
Every artist will have an answer to that.
Personally I feel that the Artist is an Artist because s/he is driven by the deep desire to express... And the art-form is the chosen platform for that expression.
And yet, this "Why" is not the question I seek to answer. All artist know that this is true to some extent. This desire to express. It consumes us. Drives us. Sometimes, even defines us. But in that process, we are so consumed by our art, that sometimes, the artist forgets to live - to live a day-to-day normal life.
An artist may ask, what is life without art?
But what happens when your life itself becomes art?
What happens when the art become all consuming? When you are so devoted to your art, so driven by it, so addicted to it, that you cant find time or energy or both, to fulfill your day-to-day chores, activities and responsibilities.
And what happens if it all goes other way round? That you are so submerged under the weight of the daily chores and responsibilities, that you can't find the time or the energy to devote to the expression of your feelings through your art? Would it not feel like being trapped in a polythene bag? Can't see clearly, can't breathe freely... trapped...?
In both cases, the life of an Artist burns out. In the first case, it burns like a candle flame. Bright, but consuming the candle every moment, destroying its very existence .. And in the second case, it burns like a tube-light It serves its purpose of giving the light. But hardly ever inspires wonder or romance...
Is it possible then, to have a balanced life-style? With equal time and energies devoted to both art and to normal life? I think it is. And I think each artist has to struggle to find that fine balance...
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