There’s a big difference between art that is commissioned and people telling the artist what to create without a thought to what the artist feels passionate about.
For one, commissioned artworks are paid for the other one is just free advice with no intent to buy or to support the artist in selling their works.
I’ve experienced both and this post is for younger artists who feel compelled to follow the dictates of others in order to get a foothold in the art market.
There are exceptions to the rule of course, when a fellow artist makes a suggestion keeping the style of the creator in mind.
During my exhibition at ICCR, Sonal Mansingh, the prominent Indian classical dancer who specializes in Bharatanatyam and Odissi who has known me for years made a suggestion.
It was a valuable suggestion and one that I have since explored – to transfer my art to other mediums and especially silk scarfs. You can view the use of the idea at the below link. (Use promo code XLEGXD before 31 August 2022 for a 15% discount. The offer is limited to the first 20 buyers).
Kusum Shukla on Fine Art America
This is in stark contrast to a curator of repute who told me to paint animals and figures because that sells!
If I had followed his advice, there would have been no difference between my art and the creative process that I use and that of fresh out of art school graduates who paint Buddhas and sell by the bulk.
As a senior artist, I feel it is my duty to encourage younger artists to allow their creativity to flourish and follow their passion.
The truth about allowing others to dictate your creativity and suffocating your passion
I read an article sometime back that addressed this issue of freedom of creativity.
Sadly, modern capitalism does trap artists into constantly being productive and making money wherever possible in their spare time. They feed into the idea that working in a hobby wouldn’t feel like working at all.
But that doesn’t really work.
Imagine having to clock into a job daily that you hate. The work is mundane, the commute is long, and your supervisors are careless. Would you enjoy waking up every morning?
While we all have to make money to survive, we all deserve to feel fulfilled after completing a hard day’s work.
Sure, we may receive a paycheck at the end of the week, but does that really make up for all the unhappy moments? Surely, the answer to that question is a resounding no.
Many blogs, books and articles are dedicated towards helping people find their passion. In fact, the self-help community is worth billions of dollars.
This statistic alone proves that people all over the globe are searching for a life of purpose. Individuals who are unhappy in their jobs are especially susceptible to soaking in as much information as they can on how to improve their life.
In order to really live a life of fulfillment and walk in your truth, you must follow your passion.
Although this sounds like a far-far-fetched idea, it’s actually quite attainable. All you need is a willing attitude, a bit of determination and a positive spirit.
Those, along with consistent hard work will help you live a life of passion. The advice that I’m sharing is relevant to everyone and not just artists.
Let’s consider how.
Determine Your Passion
Do you know what your passion is? If you want to start living a more fulfilled life, you must identify what drives you.
Ask yourself, is there an activity that gives you excitement?
Do you find yourself daydreaming about a particular field of interest?
What motivates you to get up in the morning?
The underlying answers to these questions will help you determine what your passion truly is. Once you uncover that, you’ll be able to make the necessary steps towards achieving it.
Learn Your Passion
My passion was to capture nature through my vision and put it on canvas. Maybe your passion is to become a chef?
Before you blindly pick up the pots and pans, learn your craft. Study from the greats and imitate their actions. Read and soak up as much information as you can on your particular interest.
This will help you improve your skills and train you to be the best chef you can. Then, you’re more likely to find employment or start a business revolving around your passion.
Remember, you can have a dream all you want, but it takes practice and hard work to turn it into a reality.
Start Taking Steps
After you’ve determined your passion and gathered enough information about the topic, now it’s time to put your work to the test. Take the necessary steps towards changing your current position and landing that dream job.
Take up an internship or shadowing job. Perhaps change your resume to reflect your new venture. Then, begin applying for the jobs that’ll get you one step closer to your passion.
When you put in the necessary work, it’s imperative that you get out of your comfort zone and really try to find your place. This will help you to lay the foundation for your future career.
Following your passions will make you a happier and more fulfilled person. Although I’ve focused primarily on employment, developing your passion doesn’t have to be within a job.
If your passion is to be a better artist, person or writer, then follow those dreams even if they’re just for your own personal development.
One of the best pieces of advice one could hear is to do everything with passion. From the smallest gesture to the biggest action, acting with passion will make you stand out in the crowd.
In turn, you’ll live a happier, more fulfilled life.