So many creatives become obsessed with becoming famous, popular, rich, or “like (fill in the blank of your favorite artist.”) But, what if we stopped to think about why we appreciate an artist we think we want to emulate? Do we like them because they are simply like many other artists... who, like stones, could fill the back of a dump truck; yet, once dumped out… not a single one is discernible as more precious than another? Probably not. More than likely, we choose one we feel resonates with us, more like a boulder, or sculpted centerpiece… with sharp contrasts or eccentricities that write, speak, sing, play, draw, paint, etc., in a way we feel we are truly understood.
As we each pursue whatever art we create, let’s not BE afraid to be the artist who is more like the boulder creating sharp contrasts to the status quo… or better yet, why not go for BEing the fountain centerpiece in a landscape? Are we willing to create the place for people to come... to receive a cool mist of refreshment, the place where people can just rest and enjoy gazing at the BEautiful display of the droplets of water… embracing it as a graceful dance of love for our eyes, ears, and fingertips to ground one another?
(Instead of recommending a song on a streaming service, this week, where the actual song creators do not receive adequate pay, while the owners and CEOs of those services become more wealthy on the backs of those who literally receive pennies, we are recommending you buy a downloadable version of a song/album from your local artists’ or our website to show you support paying the folks responsible for creating the music you love, equitable shares versus the 250 streams for $1.00, if that much. We thank you, always, for your love and support.)