Sage Bray Varon

Why do you create? That sounds like it could be a big, deep, philosophical question but I don’t think it is. Most creatives that I know do what they do because they can’t NOT create. There is something inside them that drives them to do it. Artists don’t need outside motivations to fuel that desire although sometimes they need outside motivations to get to work or to keep them going and, sometimes, money is one of those motivators.

I’d say that most creatives look for ways to fund their work. Sometimes it’s merely to pay for the cost of the creative addiction while others need the extra funds or related side hustles to help pay the bills. It’s when money becomes the focus of the work that trouble arises and yet, it is hard to do the work without at least hoping for that affirmation that being paid for it provides.

Why is getting money for what you do so affirming? Because when someone pays for what you’ve done, they are saying that your work has value to them, that they enjoy it enough to put down hard earned cash to have or to experience your artwork. It’s not the money most artists are really after, it’s the joy of having someone connect with their passion and affirm that the blood, sweat, and tears put into the work was worth it.

But, when a creative produces for a particular market, making the wants of the market more of a priority than the expression or outpouring of one’s ideas and/or aesthetic, they are no longer making art.

I don’t say this lightly and I know some people would disagree but when one is making things based on other people’s expectations, how much room is left for the individual’s expression and ideas? They’ll be some, of course, but that market is a strong outside influence so the work is not solely coming from within the creator. Just consider… What would that creative make if they didn’t have to sell their work? Probably not the same thing.

This is not to say that you can’t create art, write books, write music, or dance in a way that is completely your own and comes from your own unique voice while considering the market or audience willing to pay for the work. It’s a matter of priorities. What comes first when you decide on the projects you will work on? Your need for expression or your desire for cash?

I have always said that people should make the art they love then find the market that will love it too. Or, they could make the art they love and then choose what to sell based on the market available. In both cases, artistic expression comes first.

I believe I told this next story on my other blog a couple times and have done event presentations that included this so my apologies if you’ve heard this already. I do, however, think it bears repeating.

Back when I was a full-time artist, I initially made what I wanted to make and I sold well. Then I fell into the trap of making pieces I thought the market would want because, being this was how I paid my bills, I wanted work that I could be certain would sell.

When I did this though, my sales dropped. Eventually, I went back to freelance writing to supplement my income and then, because my bills were getting paid, I started just making whatever I wanted again. My art sales soared. Why? Because I believe that people recognize the authenticity and uniqueness that is imbued in work born of the creator’s passion, not a desire for good sales. That passion comes across as a kind of magic in the work and, I believe, that is what people really want to put their money out for. A bit of magic.

If you want to create for money, that’s perfectly fine. But, chances are, you will just be crafting the work not creating your art. In other words, you may end up just making something any skilled person in your medium could make versus making your own unique work.

If you want to make art, create the work for yourself first. Or, if you are concerned about pain your bills, you can do the work that you know will sell but then create other work that is your true passion, that you pour yourself into. There is certainly a market for both although, sometimes, it is harder to find the market for our more unique work.

Now, if you’re one of those who are discouraged when your art doesn’t sell, just remember, not every market is for every artist. Your paintings are not for everyone Your jewelry is not for everyone. Your books are not for everyone. Your music is not for everyone. No, your art is just for those kindred souls who are waiting for someone like you to speak to them, to show them a bit of magic, to invite them into a new world, or to express things they cannot express themselves.

So, when creating your art, keep asking yourself, “What do I want to say?” or “What do I want to show?” Be true to yourself and your passion. This is the none too fancy secret to creating with your own unique voice, something I’ll spend more time on in the coming months.

If you need help getting focused on your own expression when you create, I’d like to make a suggestion. This is very simple but it might take a little planning: Don’t look at anyone else’s work in the hours before settling in to create. The work of others can mute your own voice.

In other words, don’t peruse social media looking for design ideas in other people’s artwork. Don’t read someone else’s novel or poetry hoping to soak up the sophistication or cadence of their words. Don’t listen to other people’s music in search of creative chord combinations or rhythms you can fiddle with.

Sure, there is a time for research and searching for inspiration but do that long before you get down to your own creative work or, preferably, afterwards. You want your subconscious to filter inspiring work first so that when bits of it come out during your creative process, it is infused with your spirit, your passion, and your magic.

Now, go do something magical.