Art

We all have the freedom to speak our mind. As artists, we get to do what we love, create art and get paid for it. Let’s never forget that. Professionalism only goes so far in this industry. It would be such a waste to look back on your career and realize that you played it safe for all those years. You only gave the client what you thought they wanted. You only thought of yourself as the hired help, and in the end, silenced your own voice.

At a certain point you have to step back and look at your own body of work. Ask yourself if you are really pushing the limits, if you are really creating art at your fullest potential. Be satisfied in the fact that the work you have created up to this point is a true reflection of who you are as an artist. At the end of the day it’s not the people you pleased in this life that will make the difference…it’s what you represent as an artist, it’s what you believe in.

Are you passionate? Does it show in your work? Are you a photographer with a fire in your eye? Or are you the average run of-the-mill-people pleaser that has long given up on anything meaningful? We as artists have always had such a huge impact on society. We have always spoken up for what we believe in. Ethics and professionalism are fine, but ultimately you must decide which is more important in your life. Artists who create their art based on ethics and professionalism will ultimately never reach their true potential. Someone, somewhere along the way will not agree with their world views.

Just ask yourself one question…is there really a universal truth? It’s obvious to see that we all have different views of “ethics” and “professionalism”. Ethics and professionalism alone are in no way a valid reason for becoming a visual artist. Would you really sacrifice your own vision just to make others happy? Will you be silent for fear of the consequences? Or will you push the boundaries in search of truth and meaning? No one has the right to judge who we are. Freedom is not something to be desired…it is an absolute! Art is about freedom of expression. That is one thing that should never be taken away. That is one thing an artist should never live without.