Sustaining Purpose and Meaning
in Your Art
by Lisa
A. Riley, LMFT
“Look
at every path closely and deliberately, then ask ourselves this
crucial question: Does this path have a heart? If it does, then
the path is good.
If it doesn’t, it is of no use.” – Carlos
Castaneda
What first attracted you to your art form? Was it the way words
weaved into a poem or story or how the movement of the body captured
a mood through dance? Was it the means in which an actor conveyed
such real life emotion or was it the strokes of paint onto a canvas
that shaped a landscape? Even more importantly, was there a strong
sense of purpose that gave birth to an irresistible desire to master
the art? Was the initial intent obvious or did it evolve through
time and become something far more meaningful then originated?
For many individuals who have selected a career in the arts, it
wasn’t just the joy in the doing of it, but it was through
a found purpose that fed the artist. Perhaps some gravitated towards
creativity to offset discontent from an unfulfilling job. Others
tried to make a difference by utilizing their art to deliver a crucial
message to the world. Many “creatives” found that it
self-soothed during moments of loss, depression or anxiety. For
others the sole purpose was an attempt to solidify one’s mortality
by externalizing a part
of themselves in their art.
Whichever the purpose might have been, it is what propels the artist
to continue to create. Art without purpose is the simple task in
which the only goal is to provide a final product through the act
of completion. There are no set standards to define one’s
purpose and is in fact relative to the individual. What is essential
is that the incentive makes creating worthwhile.
Although obtaining the skills, knowledge and experience in your
medium is an important part of mastering what you do, how do you
sustain purpose or meaning for the long run?
What is draining your purpose?
If your creativity brings about a sense of dullness and feels unproductive,
carefully access your life and your environment to determine what
might be draining creative energy. Situations such as a monotonous
job that is no longer challenging and provides no advancement, or
a partner who belittles your creative passion and offers very little
support, can bleed out meaning and purpose. Creating meaning offers
continued sustenance in the artist’s life. A deficiency of
it can often lead to conditions such as creative block and existential
crises. As creativity gives birth to the artist, their art gives
birth to meaning. Are your surroundings providing fertile ground
where your purpose can flourish and thrive, or are there areas that
need some attending to?
It’s not all about the money
Have you lost touch of the deeper meaning, while focusing on making
money? Although financial abundance is important to support an ongoing
career in the arts, it may not be enough to sustain purpose and
meaning. Getting paid to do what you love may have been rewarding
at first, however, the deeper meaning can easily go astray in the
midst of a flourishing business. You may discover renewed inspiration
by donating your skills. Consider seeking out a project for a non-profit
agency or offer your talents for a cause that you feel passionate
about. Not only can it revitalize a sense of purpose, it is also
in the service of others.
Continue to evolve
I don’t believe we ever reach the finish line and suddenly
arrive at our full creative potential. Instead, we are in constant
transformation, growing and expanding. When we expose ourselves
to new things, either a new form of art, visiting a different country
or learning about a whole
new subject matter, we stretch beyond the boundaries of what is
familiar. When we venture out of our comfort zone, we nourish the
creative soul with new ideas and perspectives. Providing us the
opportunity to redefine ourselves as artists, we shed what is no
longer meaningful and try on what is new and stimulating. As a result,
the creative self continues to emerge and progress in ways that
are unexpected and within such moments, artistic alchemy can occur.
Take time to remember your original intent
After investing years in mastering your art, it is natural over
time to lose sight of the original intent. It is crucial to reflect
back on those moments when you felt completely in sync with purpose
and creativity. It’s those moments when you whispered to yourself,
“This is what it’s all about, this is exactly where
I belong.” When the artist pulls together all elements of
skill, intuition, purpose and creativity he or she feels a oneness
and an energized focus. If you haven’t had this in awhile,
try to recall what cultivated these experiences. Taking a moment
to ask yourself the following questions can help you remember what
was meaningful.
What most excited
and energized me about this work?
What was it about this medium I found fulfilling?
How did I “know for certain” this was what I was meant
to do?
What aspects of it most resonated with who I am?
What were my visions of the future doing this work?
Getting back in touch with your
initial purpose and re-establishing meaning helps to revive inspiration
and motivation throughout your artistic life. This offers endurance
during the challenging and often discouraging moments that naturally
occur in one’s artistic career. Sustaining meaning is the
sustenance of creativity.
Also published on ezinearticles.com
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