Looking for hope and possibility? Look to creatives.

When I meet people and they find out I’m an artist, I often hear the same responses:

• “I don’t have any artistic talent.”
• “Why do/did you choose a creative profession, or this work in particular?”
• “How did you get to where you are?”

The answers are never simple. I’ve learned that the journeys of creatives rarely are. I believe that, like everyone, we were told when we were young that our art was poor, self-centered, and/or pointless. Those of us who think of ourselves as creatives simply chose not to believe that. We chose to keep making. We chose to believe in hope and possibility.

As a social practice artist and creative entrepreneur, I’ve made all sorts of things and traveled all sorts of roads. I’ve worked in or with countless industries, organizations, and teams. Most of the time I’ve machete-ed my way through the wilderness.

What the cuts and bruises I’ve earned have taught me is that no matter what path we take, creative work always requires dedication, discipline, and above all courage. Our paths are fraught with challenges, and they also present ample opportunities.

I will describe here how artists carry their faith and courage into the world, inspiring hope and possibility in at least three distinct ways.

Art for art’s sake imparts joy, in spite of pain