If An Artist Falls In The Forest, Does Anyone Care???

I was running errands yesterday and while I was driving from one end of town to the other I tuned into a radio show on NPR. A lady was being interviewed regarding a book she'd written about a man who was a passionate musician and writer and his sister, the realist. This man had spent his entire life devoted to his crafts of creating music and writing his own "great American novel". The only problem, for him as well as his sister, the realist, was that his devotion to his enterprises never developed into any success financially or acclaim globally. Or locally, for that matter. To his sister's dismay, all she could do was stand in the wings of his empty sideshow and watch him waste his life on impossible pursuits. There's more to this story, but that was the core of it.

How many of us fall into the category of starving artist and how many are relegated to those who witness them with churning stomachs and bitten nails? How few ever "make it" as bonifide stars in their chosen fields? And how is success measured? A cult following? Millions in the bank? Both? Or maybe just a handful of people who are forever moved and drawn to the artist and his or her works?

Some lives are sectioned off into stages in which our roles reverse. I spent periods of my own life holding the hands of those counting chickens before they hatched, so hell bent were they on lassoing those pies in the sky. And still other portions of my life I found myself in the position of maniacally tap dancing in front of a parade of rejecting casting directors and short story editors. And I must add, though I was disappointed at the time, I harbor no lasting bitterness. Seriously. It was simply not meant for me, so I moved on.

But what happens to the artist who simply cannot abandon what they live for? If their lives are strictly spent solo, with no one else to account for, then perhaps they should continue weaving necklaces out of pipe cleaners, bottle caps and glitter.

The problems start to boil over when the artist can no longer support him or herself and suddenly the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of those closest to the creative soul. Is that fair? Probably not, but anyone in the position of loving someone who is a starving artist finds it hard to break away and leave the artist to wither away alone with their glitter.

So, if someone enjoys a certain art form be it painting or sculpting, singing or dancing, puppeteering or miming, should they question the validity of their chosen craft if it fails to elicit a response from anyone? At what point do you stop hoping for an audience and create solely for yourself? The need for approval may never be squashed, as long as the artist continues to put their work out in the public eye. After all, there is no harm or personal let down if the art is conjured up in a dark corner then immediately whisked to a bathroom wall. Who else would ever have a chance to see it? Thus rave or reject it?

Yes, there are all levels of art. From the Picasso's to the pipe cleaner wielders and everything in between. And who is to say the next wave in fashion won't be bottle cap necklaces?

I think there must be a happy medium between belief in your art, should you be that artist, and a healthy dose of reality. Separating yourself from your art can be hard. Having your goods overlooked when you set up your wares in a tiny booth at a local art fair can feel crushing. Just as deflating as booking a gig at a venue in town, only to run out on stage to an audience of none.

Should you put down your guitar or pack up your wind chimes? No. Never give up on what stirs your soul. You may need to shift gears and find a better way to support yourself if you've put all of your eggs in that basket you wove that won't sell, but you don't have to extinguish that creative spark. You know why? Because that spark is what makes you feel alive. It energizes you and keeps your life thrilling.

So if you ever feel like no one cares or you'll never find an audience for your special talent, so what? Keep pursuing your passion while forging a productive, full life and regardless of its intensity, you will be a star.