Why I Create Art

I spend a lot of time creating art and thinking about the process of creating art. Lately, I've also reconsidered why I make art. When I was a student, this is something we were encouraged to think about A LOT.

I find myself wondering if my audience has changed, if my motivations have changed and if I need to alter my techniques. It's fair to say that I'm my own worst critic when it comes to technique and style.

Most artists will tell you that they create art for themselves and while I will agree with this, there is also the part that needs to consider marketing, if you want to sell your work. I've worked as a designer to others' wishes. As a freelance painter, I pretty much do the same thing -- the client tells me what she wants, we discuss details, and I execute the work. If I'm lucky, I might get the odd client who says, "paint whatever, as long as its got fairy wings and the color pink, " but for the most part, I adhere to the paying client's wishes.

I do create work solely for myself. It is, afterall, how we all start out with crayon in hand. Recently, I've returned to abstract painting which would, on the surface, seemingly have nothing to do with fairy and fantasy art. But I paint a lot of emotional work and dreams which also inform greatly those same fairies and mermaids.

The short answer to "why do I still create" is because I have to. Painting is my voice. I create stories with paintings. Often I feel as if I'm not being heard when I use my voice or that I've chosen my words poorly. So, a painting can speak for me. Someone else will always give it a new meaning.

Have you considered why you create? For whom? Is it a job? Is it divine motivation? Is it therapy? Let me know what you think.