This resonated so much for me. I have always loved to draw, write, and spend my spare time on a million creative pursuits. Like you, I'm fortunate enough to have a good job that pays the bills and don't ever want my passion- my creative world to become or feel like work. I do it because it lights me up and sharing it with others hopefully brings light to them too ✨️ ❤️
Danny, I strongly disagree with you on several points. Many times, people have stated that all I need to do is get a job to pay the bills and do my art in my free time. I am very different from you and anyone else who can do this. I have ADHD and cannot switch gears easily, especially from unstimulating work into creative work. My art takes all my time, thoughts and heart. I must submerse myself completely or I won't be capable of making anything that makes me happy. I would be so distracted by working a "bill paying" job that I would never have enough time, energy or heart to create my real work. So no, I need to give 100% of my time, heart and soul to my art work.
I also object when you say that selling one's work is seeking validation. My work is expressive of my emotions and my beliefs. I dont need anyone to tell me it is good. I offer some of my work to others so they will find meaning or joy in it. I also need compensation for my time, materials, travel and education so that I can continue making art for myself and others.
I dont waste time wishing I was able to create art just for myself and not sell it. Putting it out there in the world makes me want to touch more people's hearts and change how they feel about life.
Art can truly change people and bring something deeply satisfying into their daily lives. I have a painting in my living room by an artist I love and I look at it every day and it's beauty is rich and soothes my soul while also making me feel alive.
Yes, I agree if someone wants to paint or draw without judgement, doing it solely for their own enjoyment, thats fine. I just feel they may be missing out. Touching others lives is why we are here.
If someone like me needs to monetize their work to be able to continue, they should not be judged either. We are all different and have unique abilities and life situations. No one should speak to us as if they have all the answers for our lives. We must each decide for ourselves what works best for us
Thank you so much for sharing, I needed this insight more than I knew! I have a job I love and just started getting back into art a year ago and have really struggled with what direction to take my art. I received a lot of encouragement from everyone around me, which albeit wonderful, also translated at some point into some level of pressure to monetize my art. A decade ago I quit art because I hated the pressure of creating for others and I am so afraid to go down that path again because I need art in my life.
All that is to say I really appreciate all of your teachings! I am making my way through The Creative License and absolutely love it! Thank you!
Got to say I have enjoyed every book of yours I have read. Creative License has been lent to friends numerous times. It always gets returned when they have read it. The one abt your Patty goes to friends in a similar situation. My son is getting your latest. Then I realized yes I think I will get one for me too. I dont care if make money making art. It might be nice but too big a commitment to what others think I should do. I did that for years. It was called work. My art is abt pleasure and challenging myself. Thanks for your endless inspiration.
I have 2 of your books and enjoy them very much, I go back to them quite often. I enjoy your essays very much, is something to look forward on the mail. Thanks for sharing yourself it has made me see my art journey in a more freeing way. I make a lot more since...
I have searched for years to find a true creative artist because I had question's about my own career as a fine art painter. I knew as soon as I watched your video's that you really knew what goes on in the heart of a true artist. After reading your new book "Make It Anyway" I was back at my easle, inspired and eager to get back to work. Thank you for your wisdom, humor and making me know I was NOT the only one that felt as you do. I just purchased four more of your books.
Danny I have bought every one of your books, and given many of them away because I knew that they would benefit others too. But I am a Canadian. I am boycotting US purchases and I will never again buy from Amazon. But I want your book. Where in Canada can I find it? Indigo? Please say yes orcwill you ship to Biblioasis in Windsor, Ontario? Thar is just an hour drive from where I live. But I know that Chapters Indigo has 2 stores in Windsor as well. Making art and your books, classes at Sketchbook Skool and encouragement have enriched me abundantly. Faithfully yours. susanna
Hi Danny! What an apt reference to the Bear, love the show and your interpretation of its characters and plot. Thanks for sharing this, it was reaffirming at lots of levels for my own journey with art :)
Had to smile at ‘Art Before Breakfast’ in the cooking section. Just sold a couple paintings, a rare occurrence, and that made me smile as well. Selling is a bonus….Not why I paint or draw almost every day. Thanks again
Ah! I have so many thoughts about your post -- all good.
1) Anyone who publishes AT ALL is brave 2) B&N shelved your book in the COOKBOOK section? 🤓🤯 3) The Bear. Brilliant. Oddly similar to Burnt, though. 🤔 4) My watercolor paintings are all neatly stacked in my studio...waiting. 5) Keep going! Makers gonna make 😉
This resonated so much for me. I have always loved to draw, write, and spend my spare time on a million creative pursuits. Like you, I'm fortunate enough to have a good job that pays the bills and don't ever want my passion- my creative world to become or feel like work. I do it because it lights me up and sharing it with others hopefully brings light to them too ✨️ ❤️
Danny, I strongly disagree with you on several points. Many times, people have stated that all I need to do is get a job to pay the bills and do my art in my free time. I am very different from you and anyone else who can do this. I have ADHD and cannot switch gears easily, especially from unstimulating work into creative work. My art takes all my time, thoughts and heart. I must submerse myself completely or I won't be capable of making anything that makes me happy. I would be so distracted by working a "bill paying" job that I would never have enough time, energy or heart to create my real work. So no, I need to give 100% of my time, heart and soul to my art work.
I also object when you say that selling one's work is seeking validation. My work is expressive of my emotions and my beliefs. I dont need anyone to tell me it is good. I offer some of my work to others so they will find meaning or joy in it. I also need compensation for my time, materials, travel and education so that I can continue making art for myself and others.
I dont waste time wishing I was able to create art just for myself and not sell it. Putting it out there in the world makes me want to touch more people's hearts and change how they feel about life.
Art can truly change people and bring something deeply satisfying into their daily lives. I have a painting in my living room by an artist I love and I look at it every day and it's beauty is rich and soothes my soul while also making me feel alive.
Yes, I agree if someone wants to paint or draw without judgement, doing it solely for their own enjoyment, thats fine. I just feel they may be missing out. Touching others lives is why we are here.
If someone like me needs to monetize their work to be able to continue, they should not be judged either. We are all different and have unique abilities and life situations. No one should speak to us as if they have all the answers for our lives. We must each decide for ourselves what works best for us
Thank you so much for sharing, I needed this insight more than I knew! I have a job I love and just started getting back into art a year ago and have really struggled with what direction to take my art. I received a lot of encouragement from everyone around me, which albeit wonderful, also translated at some point into some level of pressure to monetize my art. A decade ago I quit art because I hated the pressure of creating for others and I am so afraid to go down that path again because I need art in my life.
All that is to say I really appreciate all of your teachings! I am making my way through The Creative License and absolutely love it! Thank you!
Thank you for writing that post seeing art making that way is liberating.
Got to say I have enjoyed every book of yours I have read. Creative License has been lent to friends numerous times. It always gets returned when they have read it. The one abt your Patty goes to friends in a similar situation. My son is getting your latest. Then I realized yes I think I will get one for me too. I dont care if make money making art. It might be nice but too big a commitment to what others think I should do. I did that for years. It was called work. My art is abt pleasure and challenging myself. Thanks for your endless inspiration.
I have 2 of your books and enjoy them very much, I go back to them quite often. I enjoy your essays very much, is something to look forward on the mail. Thanks for sharing yourself it has made me see my art journey in a more freeing way. I make a lot more since...
Thank you for another wonderful essay! It makes so much sense.
I have searched for years to find a true creative artist because I had question's about my own career as a fine art painter. I knew as soon as I watched your video's that you really knew what goes on in the heart of a true artist. After reading your new book "Make It Anyway" I was back at my easle, inspired and eager to get back to work. Thank you for your wisdom, humor and making me know I was NOT the only one that felt as you do. I just purchased four more of your books.
Thanks for all of your art and words, Danny!
Thanks Danny. Just what I needed to read. I loved the last paragraph! 😊❤️
Working my way through "Make it Anyway" right now. Excellent essays; reading with a highlighter in hand to mark things I will want to come back to.
I love your new book. I bought it as soon as I heard about it. Now I can keep your essays instead of just having them on my phone. ❤️
Danny I have bought every one of your books, and given many of them away because I knew that they would benefit others too. But I am a Canadian. I am boycotting US purchases and I will never again buy from Amazon. But I want your book. Where in Canada can I find it? Indigo? Please say yes orcwill you ship to Biblioasis in Windsor, Ontario? Thar is just an hour drive from where I live. But I know that Chapters Indigo has 2 stores in Windsor as well. Making art and your books, classes at Sketchbook Skool and encouragement have enriched me abundantly. Faithfully yours. susanna
Hi Danny! What an apt reference to the Bear, love the show and your interpretation of its characters and plot. Thanks for sharing this, it was reaffirming at lots of levels for my own journey with art :)
Had to smile at ‘Art Before Breakfast’ in the cooking section. Just sold a couple paintings, a rare occurrence, and that made me smile as well. Selling is a bonus….Not why I paint or draw almost every day. Thanks again
Ah! I have so many thoughts about your post -- all good.
1) Anyone who publishes AT ALL is brave 2) B&N shelved your book in the COOKBOOK section? 🤓🤯 3) The Bear. Brilliant. Oddly similar to Burnt, though. 🤔 4) My watercolor paintings are all neatly stacked in my studio...waiting. 5) Keep going! Makers gonna make 😉