The Mark of the Artist

I have often meditated on the many ways people express themselves. Humans are truly amazing. I have gotten to the conclusion that all we do in life, all the actions we take, the things we create, the choices we make...are ultimately tools we use to express ourselves. And why do we want to express anything? Well, because we long to leave our mark on earth. You might not agree with me on this, but bare with me because it has been through years of reflection and observation that I have come to this conclusion.

A human being is a complex being. We are like onions with layers and layers of unique essence that come together and create our person. Our character, our intelligence, our personality...it all moves and changes. Everyday we change. But the one thing that doesn't change is that we ALL want to be loved and love, to feel happiness, to rejoice (because well, we were created for this!) So what we do is to look for this happiness and love.

While we do this, we leave behind clues that disclose the deepest desires we have. For instance, my two year old daughter is learning to be potty trained. Today while I was holding her little sister she came to me and told me "mama, pee-pee" (she thinks those are magic words that make me drop everything and come to her rescue because I do drop everything and run like a maniac yelling "hold it" and grabbing her in my arms to take her to the toilet). Well, she didn't have to pee that time. She repeated this like 50 times today(ugh). Well she is two years old so even though she is a complex little human she is still very transparent to me. But she is also a good example of what I mean: She was looking for my love and attention so she asked me to take her to the potty even though she didn't want to pee because she knew I would drop everything and go to her. What she is unintentionally disclosing is that she fears that somehow I am loving her sister too much and I forgot about her or perhaps that she needs me(a.k.a her deepest desires and fears). These clues are our mark...what we desperately leave behind without even realizing. That is why I think it is important read between the lines. We all have something to say....we all want to express ourselves and if we don't, we do anyways.

In all of this, Artists have a funny way to leave their mark: they leave it in their artwork. That's why a painting is not just a painting or a sculpture is not just a sculpture. It always, always HAS to mean something. I know there is this trend now saying that art can be anything or everything...I disagree. Many artists say "Well, this means whatever the viewer wants it to mean" or "No, this is just what it is, no hidden meaning behind it" as if that was even possible! In my opinion everything is in the details. Artists always leave an essence of themselves in their work, even if it is an essence of their nothingness. We must ask ourselves: But why? the answer is always hidden, we must look for it. The answer is the mark, we long to leave it behind in case someone picks it up and starts understanding. I think it is a beautiful mark. To the viewer: Always look beyond the brushstrokes. To the artist: Don't be afraid to leave your mark.