Creating Art for Myself or the Masses: Authenticity in the Creative Process

The topic of whether to create art for oneself or for the masses is a conversation that I have had with myself & in the back of my mind throughout my entire journey. Drawing inspiration from Zen Buddhism, I believe that humans are capable of doing many things exceptionally well, not just one thing. It can be challenging to narrow down what to create for the masses while remaining authentic to oneself. The term "niche" has been a significant struggle for me, as it seems that before starting any journey of selling one's craft, they must be in a category for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.

Research has shown that Zen Buddhism emphasizes self-awareness and authenticity, encouraging individuals to trust themselves and their unique path in life. This is particularly relevant to the struggle of choosing between creating for oneself or for the masses. While it is tempting to do what everyone else is doing because it sells, it feels inauthentic. In my journey, I have felt frozen, unsure of the missing link. Popularity cannot be the only goal.

Gary Vee suggests that people need to know your story and resonate with your journey. Sharing personal experiences and your creative process can help build an audience that relates to you. However, it can be overwhelming to try to do it all alone. Gary Vee has an entire team marketing him, and it takes time to build an audience. I remind myself to take things one step at a time and do as much as I can in the area I want to work in.

I have come to the realization that, in order to live in the present moment and move forward with my journey, it is necessary to dig into some past baggage.  My upbringing has made me uncomfortable with sharing personal details, creating art can be very personal. "Children should be seen and not heard," is a phrase that has affected me, and I find myself reluctant to share vulnerable moments online. It can be lonely to go through something traumatic and feel like people are judging you on the other side of the screen.

Despite my discomfort with sharing personal details due to past experiences, I have come to the realization that being true to myself is more important than fitting in with society's expectations. I am sharing parts of my story to attract like-minded individuals who appreciate authenticity. Although I feel vulnerable, I know that my journey can inspire others to embrace their true selves.

I still struggle with the question of what I can create for long periods that viewers will enjoy. It is important to me as an artist to be in the present moment and not focusing on the future or past. I am creating from a place of authenticity. I trust in myself and the process that as long as I come from a place of being present and aware, that I will continue to create meaningful work that resonates with me and as a result with others. 

Some info on the image above:

Nostalgia: A door I like to keep shut - Nov 22

As a means of processing and moving on from the past, I created an image of a nautilus using my non-dominant hand. This technique has been shown to activate the right hemisphere of the brain, which can help access emotions and memories that are not easily accessed through language. The nautilus reads "nostalgia" backward in the spiral, with an open door at the beginning - one I wish to keep shut. This backward spelling signifies that opening the door to the past can hold me back from living in the present. Sharing my journey may connect me with others who can relate, and while it can be challenging to be vulnerable, authenticity is important to me. I acknowledge that sometimes I may need to open that door, and I am currently testing whether to continue on that path or keep it shut. I am eager to see where my journey takes me next, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others who may be on a similar path.