A glass chessboard in soft focus, symbolizing the careful decisions and introspective journey every artist must navigate.
Creativity and Vision
Why the Answer Lies in the Process
True artistry isn’t about finding quick answers but about discovering them through your creative journey. The process of creating, experimenting, and asking deeper questions is where the real awakening happens. The answer lies within you, waiting to be uncovered through your vision and craft.
Visual Intervention Received : 20?? {Old Film} – Raleigh, North Carolina.
On Being an Artist – Here Is the Answer
Being an artist is one of the most rewarding and challenging paths one can take. It’s not just about creating something beautiful or meaningful; it’s about constantly questioning, exploring, and discovering. If you’re seeking the answer to what it means to be an artist, let me tell you this: the answer is not out there waiting to be found; it’s within you, ready to be uncovered.
Recently, in a group I’m part of, someone asked a simple question: “Is this camera good in low light?” It’s a common enough inquiry, but it made me think about the deeper layers beneath such questions. I responded, perhaps not to the person’s liking, by saying, “It depends on what you mean by low light and good.” This might seem like a vague or even frustrating answer, but it’s one that points to a more significant truth about being an artist.
The Deeper Question
The better question, the one that really matters, isn’t whether a camera is good in low light but rather, “How will this camera help me achieve my vision?” That’s a question that goes beyond technical specs or brand loyalty. It’s a question that forces you to reflect on your vision as an artist, to consider what you’re trying to express, and how the tools you use will support that expression.
This question is harder to answer because it demands introspection. It requires you to know yourself, your craft, and your creative intentions. You can’t just look up the answer online or ask someone else to give it to you. You have to put in the work—go out, experiment, see what the camera can do, and discover what others have done with it. Only then can you arrive at an answer that’s meaningful to you.
But here’s the thing—it’s not just about the camera or the tools you use. It’s about you, your journey, and your vision. Are you clear about what you want to achieve with your art? Do you have a vision, or are you still searching for it? How well-versed are you in your craft, and are you willing to push yourself to new heights?
The Zen of Art
In Zen practice, there are Koans—paradoxical riddles or questions that can’t be solved by logical thinking but require a deeper level of understanding. If someone gives you the answer to a Koan, you’ve missed the point entirely. The value lies in the process of grappling with the question, the insights you gain as you struggle to find your own answer.
The same is true for art. If someone gives you the answer, you miss the point. The creative process is not about finding easy answers; it’s about discovering them through your own experiences, mistakes, and moments of clarity. The awakening, the true insight, comes from the process of creating your vision.
So, when you’re faced with a question, whether it’s about your tools, your techniques, or your artistic direction, remember that the answer isn’t something that can be handed to you. It’s something you have to discover for yourself. And that discovery is what makes you an artist.
Visual Intervention
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the photograph accompanying this post—a chessboard, half in shadow, with a few pieces strategically placed. The image is not just a snapshot; it’s a metaphor for the artistic process.
In this photograph, the chessboard represents the field of possibilities before you. Each piece is a decision, a move that you can make. The shadow that envelops part of the board symbolizes the uncertainty and the unknown that every artist faces. You don’t know what the outcome of your next move will be, and there’s no guarantee of success. But that’s part of the process.
The light that catches the pieces is like a flash of inspiration, those moments when everything becomes clear, and you see the next step on your path. But just as in chess, you can’t play the game passively. You must engage, think critically, and take action. The answer to how you’ll win the game, how you’ll create your art, can’t be found by sitting back and waiting. You have to step forward, make your move, and see where it takes you.
The Artist’s Path
Being an artist is about creating a vision and seeing where it takes you. It’s about embracing the process, with all its challenges and uncertainties, and trusting that the answers will come—not from outside yourself, but from within. Your art is a reflection of your inner journey, your insights, and your growth. Every question you face, every challenge you overcome, is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of who you are and what you’re here to create.
So, if you’re searching for the answer to what it means to be an artist, know this: the answer is in the journey. It’s in the questions you ask, the work you do, and the vision you bring to life. It’s not something that can be given to you; it’s something you must discover for yourself. And in that discovery, you’ll find the true essence of what it means to be an artist.
Join the Journey : Sign Up for My Newsletter
Are you on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration? Do you seek insights and practical wisdom to transform your life and deepen your understanding of the world? Join the Conscious Change Collective Community by signing up for my newsletter!
I am not sure where this journey will take us, but for now, you will receive a daily digest of my blog posts. Let’s explore the path of conscious change together!
I’m also open to connecting through podcasts, interviews, or just having meaningful conversations. If you’re interested in diving deeper into these topics or collaborating in any way, feel free to reach out. Let’s walk this path together in whichever way resonates most.
