Love What You Do

Love what you do. Sounds contrite, like some bumper sticker on the car in front of you that you stare at mindlessly during 5pm rush hour traffic on the 403 highways system in Ontario.

But really, it’s an important 4 words that many of us ignore for most and sometimes all of our lives. are we happy?

As we sit in the midst of the Covid pandemic considering our lives, what we’ve done, what we’re doing and what we want to do; perhaps some of our thoughts should consider;

For many of us happiness is actually very simple. A few good friends, the basic necessities of life and doing work that we feel is meaningful and that we love to do. After being forced to self-isolate over the past several months these things should be fairly clear to us. Yet many of us will slide back into our previous unsatisfying lives when this is all over because we cannot nor will not see the alternatives we can build for ourselves. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Artists can fall into the same traps; creating art (a life) that someone else suggested would be the best/surest way to earn a living and be; safe, (but terribly bored and miserable).  I’ve heard so many early career and emerging artists discuss what they heard is the latest trend, what art is selling, and what types of sales pitches work with customers. Yikes!!! I didn’t start creating art because I wanted someone to buy it. I started creating art because it made me feel good, it gave me a purpose and it made others happy to see and experience the finished work.  

As a kid in grade school, the pet rocks I happily painted and gave away to my friends brought joy to both me and my friends. They would use them as paper weights when the teacher opened the window and the breeze would blow through the class. They would show them to each other and trade up. And when the fad passed, they put them in their gardens and forgot all about them. My art had given happiness to me and others. That was all I could expect.

Today when I am in my studio working on my projects, I consider most of all; does the process of creating this piece make me happy? Do I love the possible outcome/finished work? If I love my artwork and the process of making my artwork it becomes very natural for me to talk about my work to others. I don’t ever “sell” my work as a salesperson would. During an exhibit or festival or market; people will look at my work and occasionally they will ask me about it. As they listen to me, it becomes very apparent how much I love what I do, my enthusiasm for the artwork and the process of creating it. It makes them smile, and in the story telling they often have a story of their own that relates to mine, the artwork and the process. In that moment I have made a connection with another person; thru my work. It’s cool. And often when this person is also actively looking for new artwork and has the funds available to purchase, they will take home the art. If they don’t, it’s nothing to do with the art, or me; it’s simply they weren’t ready to purchase at that time. Nevertheless, the conversation (human interaction) that occurred because of the art will be something they remember, and perhaps will return to when they are ready to bring home the art.

Regardless of outcome, the best thing I can do is love what I do, create art I love and be willing to express my enthusiasm for the art and the process to anyone who asks!

So my fellow artists and artisans; create what you LOVE to create. Every piece of artwork will be a little piece of you, the artist. The value of that is priceless!