Art for a higher purpose

[jchitty]

I was thinking the other day about artists, composers and writers who had limited or no success in their lifetimes, but whose works now (such as Van Gogh) now fetch exhorbitant prices. But aside from the money, he left the art world a great contribution. Van Gogh toiled away for years, hindered by mental illness and poverty. But he was compelled to paint, and quite a few biographers have said that he painted because he believed it was his purpose to do so anyway, regardless of any monetary gain he might have achieved on earth. His brother, an art dealer only sold one of Van Gogh's paintings during his lifetime, and he didn't get that much money for it.Herman Melville had some early success with Billy Budd, but after that, his success dried up. He went onto write "Moby Dick" of course, but even though it's an American masterpiece, he died in obscurity. Edgar Allen Poe wrote countless short stories, and managed to eke a living, but his family still lived in poverty.John Kennedy Toole wrote, "A Confederacy of Dunces" (one of the best Southern novels ever), but never lived to see the success of it....he committed suicide before it was ever published.Mozart also struggled with tough reviews when he was alive...he wasn't given the breaks other composers were, but his music was so great, it lived on.Do any of you folks ever think you're writing for a higher purpose...that this is what you're supposed to do, regardless of any recognition you might get in your lifetime? Not that I could ever compare modern day songwriting with the art of the past, but do you some of you feel that you're driven for some purpose you don't know yet, but that you are compelled to do anyway?And do any of you have favorite examples of people who didn't get much recognition during their lifetimes, but after death, were recognized?Sometimes, people just write for art's sake. They feel they've been called to do it, no matter what the outcome.And of course, in my case, it's show me the money baby! But I also think that higher purpose thingy can come into play at times.

[billg]

I think people are supposed to follow their "bliss" whatever that may be. Up in my mom's attic somewhere there are some old 1/4" tapes with some really crappy song writing efforts of mine when I was 8 yrs. old. It's what I've always been happiest doing. There have been periods when I have stopped because I thought I needed to quit wasting my time & spend it on some more "lucrative" things. I have always become really depressed when I've stepped away. I've never really thought about the "higher power" thing but I've come to know that being involved in creating music is something I have to do . . . or else (and the "or else" is a really bad thing!) -

[elser]

Ya I think about this issue all the time. For me it almost feels like a responsibility, I have to create. That may sound egotistical, but to me it's almost like taking part in a conversation. People are often more interested in what you have to say than you might think and it's important to chime in and say it. My creative expressions don't connect on the commercial level I wish they would but every once in a while they connect on an individual level and that connection is important. For instance our recent co-write Chits; I don't know if that song will do anything to generate income, but it's an accomplishment on many other levels that gives it value. It's something that we did together, we co-operated and made something that we can be proud of for the rest of our lives, whether or not it's appreciated by others. So I'm going to continue doing that. I hope it'll make me some money, but the money isn't the main thing. Making something out of nothing is what's all about, I think that's something we need to keep doing.Amen, Elser

[coachdebra]

As a business coach, I have to weigh in on this issue. I believe that the many myths and beliefs around this issue are what perpetuate the "starving artist" mindset. Here's my take on it. First - if it's not your highest purpose to create art, go get a job! If you're in the business to get "famous", get on Survivor. In my experience people create art for two reasons - because they are inspired and even compelled to, and/or because they are inspired and compelled to use that art to make an impact in the world.If you are creating it because of the first reason and NOT the second, then you are an amateur (not meant as a pejorative, but the original meaning - doing it for love), and I would ask, what is your impact in the world - go do that for a living.If you are creating it for both reasons, then you're in the right place, here on TAXI - And you are a business owner. If you don't have commercial success, then you aren't making as big an impact in the world as you could. Therefore, you are not fulfilling your higher purpose to the greatest extent possible. Therefore - commercial success and art for a higher purpose are not diametrically opposed but are actually in true alignment. Your coach,Debra

[jchitty]

Wow, some really good posts here by Bill and Els. Bill, I hear you. Writing is probably my most favorite thing to do...when I was a little kid, people would say to me, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" I'd always say, "a poet." Then people would say, "What, you can't make a living out of that. You need to learn to type or do business work." People around me were nine to fivers, and that's what they thought would keep me safe...they were only trying to help. So I went to work eventually in a library and typed my life away as a cataloguer. But all along, I was writing poems and dreaming.Elser, what great thoughts by you.... it was a pleasure co-writing with you, and I think you're right....that writing in and of itself has intrinsic value. The world around us makes us forget sometimes that it's not only about money, but the creation itself.....just creating something makes it all worthwhile.Plus, in our instant gratification world, people expect instant success in two minutes time when it literally takes years of work....I certainly know I can be that way, we all can. I know that some people have felt they've let me down with our co-writes because we didn't get a foward sometimes.....but I never look at it that way. No demo is ever a waste because you never know what will happen in the years to come, and for all you know, that song which didn't get recognition today might prove to be a monster hit. But even it doesn't, you can be proud you created something.I enjoyed writing with you and Bill both (Bill and I wrote "Leaving Out Of Atmore," you and I wrote "Vodka and Smoke")....and here's to some more co-writes by us! We can be proud of what we did.

[jchitty]

Nov 14, 2008, 10:53am, coachdebra wrote:As a business coach, I have to weigh in on this issue. I believe that the many myths and beliefs around this issue are what perpetuate the "starving artist" mindset. Here's my take on it. First - if it's not your highest purpose to create art, go get a job! If you're in the business to get "famous", get on Survivor. In my experience people create art for two reasons - because they are inspired and even compelled to, and/or because they are inspired and compelled to use that art to make an impact in the world.If you are creating it because of the first reason and NOT the second, then you are an amateur (not meant as a pejorative, but the original meaning - doing it for love), and I would ask, what is your impact in the world - go do that for a living.If you are creating it for both reasons, then you're in the right place, here on TAXI - And you are a business owner. If you don't have commercial success, then you aren't making as big an impact in the world as you could. Therefore, you are not fulfilling your higher purpose to the greatest extent possible. Therefore - commercial success and art for a higher purpose are not diametrically opposed but are actually in true alignment. Your coach,DebraHey, Deb I'll agree that all of us are creating to earn money. But I think the primary reason many of us do it is because we just love it...they say 'do what you love, and the money will follow.'But music is so subjective, you're almost guaranteed to be a starving artist for a while. And it's that love of creating something that gets you through those long periods before you do earn any money. I'm glad for those folks who persevered despite earning no money....they still gave the world a great gift.

[allends]

Nov 14, 2008, 10:53am, coachdebra wrote:If you don't have commercial success, then you aren't making as big an impact in the world as you could. Therefore, you are not fulfilling your higher purpose to the greatest extent possible. Therefore - commercial success and art for a higher purpose are not diametrically opposed but are actually in true alignment. Debra,This is wonderful advice that I plan to read through again and again until it really sinks in. ON A SIDE NOTE:Some say that you can tell a lot about a person by their handshake. I passed your table at the rally and had the pleasure to shake your hand. Well, that was a week ago and I'm still impressed. Thank you for your positive influence!All The Best,Allen

[Casey H]

Nov 14, 2008, 11:08am, jchitty wrote: But I think the primary reason many of us do it is because we just love it...I was doing it for the groupies until I learned there are no groupies for non-performing songwriters!

[jchitty]

Nov 14, 2008, 1:49pm, hurowitz wrote:Nov 14, 2008, 11:08am, jchitty wrote: But I think the primary reason many of us do it is because we just love it...I was doing it for the groupies until I learned there are no groupies for non-performing songwriters!

[matthoggard]

I think my first attempt at writing a "song" was when I was 13. My family is very musical and I was exposed to it at a very young age. I was playing guitar and piano by 14 and my first band was at 15. This is something ive always done. Either performing for the family or at school dances or frat parties etc. I started taking writing seriously when I was 20. ITs always been an avenue for me to get out what I cant really talk about. Although I took a hiatus these past few years, I was always thinking about a story of my life or someone else's life or experiences.Sure I had the big rock star dreams and I was gonna tour the world but reality has a funny way of smacking us around once in awhile. I am ultimately hoping to make a living at being a writer and or artist. Chits your avatar quote sums me up completely. This is what I do and I couldnt see it any other way. I just hope one day one of my songs will change someones life like so many songs have changed mine.M~