Stop Labeling Yourself as an Artist
- May 6
- 2 min read
The World Needs Your Artistic Expression
Hi guys!
I have been, as many people have called me “off the grid” lately.
But the truth is, I have simply been in the real world, really thinking about what matters to me, who I want to be, and how I want to spend my time.
When I was young, I used to have this running list in my head all the time of what mattered to me.
It was, in this order:
Faith
Family
Ballet
Now, I realize the “ballet” has been replaced by "art."
Throughout the last 20 or so years, we have seen the world lose its beauty. Beauty in architecture, in craft, in music and schools and in people. But, if you’re an artist, that is your job. To see the beauty in the world and to help others slow down and take it in as well.
I spent a few days in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, which I’ll share some more about soon. That’s where my father grew up. I recently posted a couple of reels singing and playing instruments and had this really interesting moment where my Grandma was listening to a reel of my on her desktop when I was right there, so instead I went and got my guitar and played some music for her and my Grandpa for a while before bed. They usually watch music programs on their TV anyways.
The real world needs your art more than you know. Especially small towns. Not places like New York that are already teeming with artist. Start small. Playing for your family. For local bars and open mic nights wherever your are.
Your job is not to get discovered. It’s just to express your art.
Bowie drew, danced, painted, lived an artistic life. Langston Hughes wrote letters to Ailey. Babitz did collage. Stop putting yourself in a box.
You are like the onion I cooked with last night, sprouting out a new shoot because there is so much energy and life in you that you need to share it. Leave the industry stuff for other people. Leave the internet for other people.
Go be your art.
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