As you get better at and learn more about art, you come to a fork in the road. There are now three paths to traverse. They are:
- Criticism
- Stagnation
- Exploration
Criticism
Most “artists” choose this path. Instead of creating, they turn into the critics. They know enough art to consider themselves experts. So instead of creating they analyze and dissect other people’s art.
Even though a critic is surrounded by art, he is not an artist. Criticizing art is easy. Creating art is hard. That’s why so many choose this path. It’s easy.
Stagnation
This is the second largest group of artists. These are the artists that feel accomplished enough to stop reaching. They don’t necessarily criticize other people’s work, but they don’t strive to make their’s better.
Many professional artist are stagnant artists. They make enough money and receive enough praise that they don’t need to stretch themselves anymore.
Stagnant artists are married to rules and formulas. They’ve brought the artist success in the past, so he relies on them to fuel the rest of his work.
This is a far better option than criticism, but no true artist wants to live here.
Exploration
This is the humble artist. He enjoys every attempt at art. Instead of criticizing a bad piece of art, he learns from it. He picks up new techniques and ideas almost daily.
His world is filled with reaching and risk. It’s what fuels him. He fails a bunch, but he doesn’t wallow in his failure. He keeps exploring.
This is where every artist needs to live.
You
Have you stopped exploring? Have you stagnated? Or worse, have you become a critic? Get back on the road to true art. Begin exploring again.
Two artist’s roads are easy. One is difficult – overgrown with uncertainty and adventure. Take the road less traveled.