I have a theory. I believe that the ability to make art, whether music, drawing, painting, sculpting – it doesn’t matter what kind – is an inherently human trait.
Anyone who makes the statement “I am not creative” is wrong. Translated, it really means “I never tried.”
I’ve been told I am lucky to have the ability to write outside of running what I’d call the best public relations agency in America. It’s really not luck at all, I am no more skilled in writing it than you can be. The difference is, I have put forth arduous hours, days, weeks, months and years of my life into it.
We are hard-wired for creativity. It is just a matter of honing it to a specific craft. And, it is perhaps one of the most rewarding feelings you can have — giving life to something original from within yourself to share with the world purely for intrinsic value.
Not convinced you should be an artist yet? Here’s 21 more reasons to consider it:
1) Creativity breeds success
Whether you’re in marketing, are an entrepreneur, or any part of the business world, it is vital to culture internal creativity. I know it has been an important part of any of my successes.
2) Do you watch TV? Make art instead
What if, instead of being passively entertained, you could actively engage your mind in something that instead of leaving you empty inside, left you fulfilled and glowing. Try it.
3) Art is a lifelong challenge and infinite intellectual puzzle
The deeper I progress in my art, the less I feel like I know. And that’s amazing because it provides a sense that so much is yet to be discovered. This inspires internal motivation for not only my art, but all areas of my life.
4) You’ll meet interesting people and make real connections
Art is a great enabler of opening us up to each other and a guaranteed way to connect with like-minded people.
5) Digital technologies enable you to easily share your results with the world
Whether you’re into music, photography or visual art, it’s now as easy as clicking a mouse to share your results with thousands, even millions of people. Even if your art isn’t digital art, you can easily take a picture, make a video, or make a recording and share it online. The tools are completely democratized.
6) There is no greater feeling of freedom
Getting lost in the moment while creating art is liberating beyond anything else I have experienced.
7) There is no wrong answer
You can make anything you want, and if it is pleasing to you, it is successful, there is never a wrong answer. You don’t even have to share it with the world, in fact I probably share only about 1% of what I make with the world. It is always more enjoyable to make art for intrinsic reasons than extrinsic.
8) Yes, you can
I stated this in the introduction, but I’ll say it again: to be a human being is to be a creature of creativity. Art and creative, expressive freedom is something that each and every person is capable of. To not at least create some art is to not fully embrace your internal capabilities.
9) Cooking is art, writing is art, comedy is art, photography is art, gardening is art…
Art is really whatever you make of it, the definition is so wide open. What I’m getting at is don’t be constrained in your thinking of what art is. Find what creative outlet vibes with your personality and what comes naturally and you’ll know it’s right for you.
10) You will learn things about yourself you didn’t know
During hours spent alone engaged in your creative task, your thoughts and mindset will be shifted into a state of complete freedom from stress, anxiety and negativity. Having a flow experience is something beyond words.
image credit: sagebrush photography
11) You will challenge yourself to consistently grow
One of the most rewarding things about making art is the fact that it is never complete, and once you get really into it, you will start on a quest of deep personal development.
12) Making art is the ultimate brain boost
Once engaged in a form of art, your mind will constantly be churning with new thoughts, ideas and imagery in a positive way. People talk about mental supplements, vitamins, etc. none of that has any effect. Engaging your brain in creativity and actively creating your own art is the ultimate mental boost that will carry over into your everyday life.
13) You might not ever make a dime, and be completely fine with it
I certainly have spent more money on music gear and hours making music than I have received in monetary returns. And, that doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I would be fine with if I had never even made a cent off any of my art. That’s just not the point.
14) It will change your way of thinking about the world
In a good kind of way. You will start to see beauty and patterns in things you did not before.
15) You’ll work infinitely better with your creative team members
If you work with graphic designers, advertising people, or marketers you’ll understand what motivates these creative types. The best graphic designers are independent artists in their personal time. The best advertising people produce content for fun when not making creative for clients.
16) Art is the most intimate form of self expression
And a way to connect with others on a deeper level than anything else.
17) Find passion again
If you have lost that incredible passion you once had for life, finding a form of art to work on is a surefire way to re-spark it.
18) Change people’s lives, make others think
An amazing, unexpected byproduct of making art is that you can bring happiness to thousands of people you’ll never meet (this is something amazing about sharing art through digital technologies). And, once in awhile you’ll get an email from someone letting you know how much your art means to them. It’s an indescribable feeling.
19) Finding meaning
You can find incredible meaning in life by pursuing creative expression. It can be just what you need to conquer internal negativity and conflicts and experience personal growth.
20) Spending time alone can be beautiful
Many in society have a fear of being alone. But, I can guarantee you artists are not among those who fear solitude. In fact, they embrace it and find that time to be some of their favorite moments alive while working on their craft.
21) An outlet for excessive emotion
Feeling frustrated, depressed, anxious, angry? Art is the ultimate personal healer during stressful times.
Art is something amazing all passionate individuals can make a part of their lives.
No matter what type of art you make, it is one of the most fulfilling things you can do as a conscious and creative person. I not only find it a driving force in my life, but have witnessed what happens to someone when they get involved as well.
The transformation of those people into more positive, well-rounded human beings is true, honest and incredible to witness first-hand. As an artist, I have taken much time to help others who came to me looking for guidance in helping them find their path. If you’re an artist, this is something you have probably experienced too. This can be even more fulfilling than creating your own art.
A form of art is within you as well, I am sure of it.
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I love this site more please
I love this post! But I love this blog anyway. It’s one of the few I actually make a point to read due to it’s forward thinking, positive nature.
As a lifelong artist, I agree with absolutely everything here. When I hear people tell me “I wish I could do what you do” or “I’m not creative”, I want to tell them how wrong they are for believing that. Maybe not everyone can draw or paint. But creativity is so much more than that. I really think that people sell themselves short, that they squash the childlike creative impulses within themselves in order to fit into their expected rolls.
A couple things to add to this list:
–Art keeps you young. Not physically, but mentally (although at 40 I look young for my age!) Art keeps you open to new things and helps you see the universal things that matter. Your mind is flexible, less fearful, you learn more, you take yourself less seriously. Having art in my life is like having the perfect marraige – I look forward to growing older because I will always have this renewable, enriching, fun “partner”. I will be a cool old lady that makes things beautiful someday.
–Art helps you solve problems. The creative mind is a powerful mind. A creative mind that solves problems is good for business. It is also good for survival. In times like these, thinking creatively will help you look for new ways to get what you want.
I ride the train every day to my job. For a while there I took a sketch book and tried to get one solid drawing of fellow commuters (without their knowledge of course!). Drawing from reality forces problem solving -how to draw a constantly moving person, how to capture the shifting shadow and light, capturing every the density and angle correctly of every shape…it was a true brain exercise. And I got some excellent drawings (expect a blog compiling them later!) and arrived at work truly refreshed and happy. I got the same out of doing those sketches as some people get from praying or working out.
Sorry for the long reply Adam! Great post! Thanks!
@Kristin – thank you for the insightful, smart comment. Please do not apologize for it being long, it was fantastic.
Great stuff, Adam! There seems to be a stigma between creatives and the rest of the world. Obviously, “they” don’t know that they belong to the “creative club.” If you’re a high-level being, you’re creative, deal with it. ;)
Meanwhile, I just wrote an article about “How to Embrace Your Inner Creative” and hope that by doing so, it will demystify the myths associated with the perceived alchemy.
http://creativegoddess.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/embraceyourinnercreative/
Fantastic article! I am going to share it with all if the musicians that show up at my studio who want to make a CAREER out of music.
You went about it the smart way… making music an avocation, not an advocation. You’ve got the right perspective. Congrats
This is wonderful. I’m bookmarking it to read again when those doubtful voices come creeping into my head about making art… Thanks for this post. :)