CC14 Presents:

The Artist’s Life

It’s surprising how many people identify themselves as artists and allow art to consume their lives way beyond the level of a hobby or pastime. It’s surprising because in many ways making art is a frustrating and unrewarding thing to do. It tends to be lonely and it’s hard to feel appreciated. To many people, calling yourself an artist can seem at once presumptuous and a bit disreputable. So why do we do it?

The artist’s public or family or friends miss a lot of what’s involved. They might see the art work as its being made. They will see the results. But that’s the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot going on out of sight, and much of it is struggle; wrestling with doubt and anxiety; with the desire to be “good” or to feel “successful” and the fear that you will never be satisfied. You want to feel you are a “real artist” but you are not even sure what that really means.

You wonder, should I make my work more like somebody who is “big” or should I be totally myself. How much of my inner joy and fear should I allow to show? Should I be cool and sophisticated or raw and emotional? What is really important to me, what do I need to say? What can I say that hasn’t been said over and over? Do I even have any original ideas?

An artist’s life needs to be full of hope, because most of the time hope is all you have to keep you going. You are taking an extraordinary leap, trying to communicate at levels and in ways that most people don’t. And you do this knowing that you will almost always, one way or another, be disappointed!

You are trying to delve deeply into your imagination and spirit and dredge up some kind of unique image that you hope to share with others; an image that’s somehow meaningful or (you always hope) maybe even profound, but at least true. And you do it with hope, time after time, even though you know it probably won’t work the way you want it to.

It’s a challenge and adventure. It’s about trying to get beyond the limits of our mundane lives and discover something special about ourselves, to find something that’s not being said and then find a way to say it. And in a way there’s a good feeling to that. It feels a bit noble or courageous. Instead of sticking to the safe path, you are going where the wild things live.

But, once in a while, you look at the piece you’ve been struggling with for so long and finally see just what it needs to bring it to life, or an inspired idea hits you and you feel like you could never have just thought that up, that it’s a gift from somewhere beyond. There’s a feeling of true revelation. There’s a feeling that you have connected to something deeper, or higher than your ordinary self. And that makes up for so much.

D.F. - June, 2007

Diablo Valley College Art Gallery
321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 665 2471

June 14 - July 18, 2007
Mon. - Wed. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thurs. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Please join us for the
Artist’s Reception:
Thurs., June 14, 2007
from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.