Finding my "Why"

Artist and art guru Mary Gilkerson recently sent around an email regarding the importance of identifying one’s creative purpose.  Or, as she put it, “Finding your Why.” Gilkerson reasons that an artist’s purpose will attract fans both to their work and their reason for making it.   Plus, it will make it easy to write an artist’s statement.   All good things.

At first this seemed simple.  I’m motivated to make art as a response to the beauty I see around me.  For me, part of that response is spiritual, and part is a practical desire to share with others (Look! Beauty!!).  But then I get stuck.  Why does that response result in a painting?   Why not take a picture? Compose music? Do interpretive dance?   

I think it must be the way I’m wired.   The beauty that catches my attention is most often visual—colors, forms, backlit edges.   And I feel most able to communicate by painting—I don’t want to tell you what I see, I want to show you.   Plus, painting is really fun.

That’s not a compelling artist’s statement, but maybe it’s a start.   

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