So Why Do I Do This, Again?

During this summer of making art solely for myself, I've also been thinking about why I do it.  What's the point?  

A lot of people, when they hear me say that I'm an artist, think automatically that I'm doing it for the money.  They want to know if I've sold anything, how much I've sold it for, and if I'm making money at it.  The dollar signs are in their eyes.

I'm not going to deny that I love it when my work is sold.  I love hearing the 'kh-ching' sound on my phone when I make an Etsy sale.  I love the delight people have when they look at my work at a show.  And I love the sound of money changing hands, and the knowledge that my work is finding a new home.  It helps pay for art supplies, after all, and I have to do something with all the art I've accumulated, right?  I can't inflict it on my friends and family members all the time.  Just joking.

For me, though, art is a way through the darkness that surrounds me so frequently.  Through art I can see that there is possibly that light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  Making art is therapy, as I've said many times before.

It's therapy when I am making something for the shop such as this cool piece that I just love (yes, I have to plug my shop once in a while.

Check it Out Here

And it's therapy when I'm creating something that's for fun or self-expression, like these journal pages inspired by a favorite Coldplay song.

Art is my way of realizing that there is daylight up ahead - even if I don't see it.

Isn't that enough reason for doing it?

later,
lin