Week 10: Realizing Some Things

The Artist's Way: (Link)
​Drugs. Can your spirit take drugs? Can your soul be addicted to pain and self-harm? In my opinion, Fame and Competition are designer drugs for the soul. The moment I start painting to get famous, or painting to get competitive with another artist, or to “be” better than someone, I get tired. I get so, so tired. Tired in my soul.

There’s a reason for that. Competition in art, is artificial. It is a drug designed to fuel your subconscious for a short-term sprint that leaves a long-term scar. Creativity is meant to be a connection from your subconscious to God, or the great creative force, or whatever you’d like to call the universe around you.

There is no competing with God, or the universe. Not on our scale anyways. Paint because your heart sings. Make music because your soul cries. Dance because your spirit soars. Whatever you are creating, do it with your whole being, and do it for yourself.
 
“Only when he no longer knows what he is doing, does the painter do good things”
                                                                                                     ~Edgar Degas 

​- CP