When asked: “Why do you make art” what do you say? I think all artists wrestle with the why of it? I, myself know I have to do it to be happy. Working on a painting or a pen and ink drawing in my studio makes me happy.

The making of art is a tradition that has spanned the entirety of human history. I’m always interested to know what is art’s purpose, if it has one! When asked, what do artist’s say about their compulsion to create? Camille Henrot said: “I don’t think art has any inherent duty; its not “good” for anything innately.” What best describes an artist? Is too much expected of art? She went on to say: “Art is good for representing and defending a space for complexity, nuance and exception. I love this explanation.

Rose B Simpson stated: ” So much art caters to the intellect, tickles the wit and hold the key to an inside joke.” The cost of art is know what you paid to go to art school, and what you owe. What we need to remember is that art ventures in the magical, driven by a deep desire to know something beside disconnection as to become fluent in the poetry of the supernatural. Art is about findg our way home to our humanity. As we take many wrong turns each one is a teacher.

What I often wonder, is the question of why people question why we have to make art. Why is art a part of our soul? Why do we wake up thinking about what we can create next? Is it because we are creative souls, or are we artists just a little crazy! I don’t have an answer to this yet.

I know I love to paint and draw. I love the companionship of artistic people. I painted this years ago, and it sold right away. It is 2′ x 4′ and happily installed in a happy client’s home. Think about why you enjoy art, be it contemporary or old world, flowers or landscape or a million other venues. I hope you are enjoying it in your life!