The Point of No Return



Posted: Tuesday, November 09, 2010

by Kyle Reynolds
kylereynoldsart

When has an artist sold out? Is it when he/she swallows their pride to make art that isn't even rem
otely close to anything they would usually enjoy painting? And if this line is crossed can an artist redeem themselves? I try not to give in to the pressure of my environment. I have had people tell me multiple things on how i to become a successful artist, Kyle "Just work on a small scale then you will sell" Kyle "If you painted cats people would buy your work" What if I feel I am successful in just creating the art that I love to create not giving into any norms or pressures to paint what people want to see but instead paint what I want them to see. I have once or twice ok multiple times fallen short of my creative integrity in order to pay the bills. But I think staying true to yourself is the way to go. Art should always be enjoyable it should be an expression of integrity and in essence a pure expression of the artist. So try to stay true to who you are as an artist. If someone tells you to paint pretty flowers when inside you are screaming to purge yourself of something listen to that primal instinct I think in the long run as artists we would be happier being true to ourselves.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 1 year 198 days ago.
153 fans.
I think when you're trying to live by your art, you're constantly faced with the tension of wanting to only do that which feels right, and needing to eat and pay the bills and having to do work that outrages you within.
 
I've always believed that staying true to yourself as much as possible is the most important thing, and is where your creative strength lies - which is what will make you successful materially (hopefully!). I don't think it's good to beat up on yourself, though, when you have to do something that makes you gag. Better to gag than to starve!
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