To be an artist requires the deepest commitment

To somewhat quote Yoda from the movie Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back, to become a successful artist, just like a Jedi knight or anything else, requires a deep commitment. You must commit a lot of time and energy to become an artist. When becoming a photographic artist there is not only the commitment of time and energy but one of money to be able to buy the equipment. The dedication to looking at the world and revealing to others how you see it.

The deep commitment comes from being able to see beyond looking. Creating photographic art is more than pointing the camera at a subject or scene and pushing a button. Creating photographic art is about seeing beyond using your vision and imagination. It is about letting the world see what is inside your mind.

I made that commitment once and let it slip, possibly enticed by the “dark side”, but I’m now finding my way back. While there may not be many “Jedi masters” I have found my search for the “force” of art continues. The quest begins this week to get back on the path of an artist and to once again make a deep commitment to creating art as an artist.