Creating art for art

A true artist creates art for the sake of creating art. The street musician hopes to get tips, he is creating his art, and music, for the sake of the music. I create photographic art for the sake of creating art. If I make a buck or two that is the icing on the cake.

For me, that is the sign of a true artist. To create for the sake of creating. Creating for the sake of money one can become driven by what “sells” rather than what moves you as an artist. Creating art for art allows me the freedom to do what I want rather than worry about what sells.

I haven’t always had this mindset. I once believed in running my photography as a business. Yeah, I made money but I wasn’t always doing what I wanted. I took “jobs” that paid, then I had to deal with clients who were late payers, wanting more than agreed upon, discounts, and the whole plethora of business issues.

Now we are in the age of the “influencer”. Many of them want things for free to “fill their social media” believing they are entitled because they have a following.

For me, I want to create what I want. If fame, fortune, and a following come it comes because they are really interested in my art not that I produce merely what sells.