Sunday, November 27, 2016

Fickle Fame and the Reckless Artist

Fame is a fickle thing. I mean, writing your heart out is no guarantee for fortune or even a comfy chair. Fifty percent of all authors make less than $1000.00 per year. Only about 20 percent of authors make more than $20,000 per year, and J.K. Rowling is skewing the statistics with her 300 million per year.

Very few treasure art. We have no power to influence our success. If you were born into a non-artistic family your road is tougher. You are likely to suffer from mental illness. And, by the way, you make way less than a part-time employee at Mickey Ds. Here is another problem. You are a reckless soul and you love ugly. I mean it. Art is about the different. You want to say things that no one is saying, and, listen here, everyone wants to hear the same old stuff. You are just part of the din. The voices that are heard aren't always the best voices. It's a luck driven world.

Art is one Pandora's box of trouble for the creator. So why do it? Because there is hope down at the bottom of the art well. Art soothes the soul. It inspires the imagination. It fuels the future. It dazzles the mind. It makes us more. Cling to that when all the naysayers are wagging fingers at you.

Yes, I know it's a tough world for most artists. We are a rickety lot but wonderful too. Keep creating.


Here is a doodle of hope: 






Here is a quote for your pocket:

You may forget but let me tell you this: someone in some future time will think of us.
Sappho


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