Remembering the “play”

When creating is our source of income, clients praise us for how quickly we can do something.

Especially now, with time being of the essence in order to compete with AI programs and techniques.
(Barf. I don’t think we actually “compete” with this but another post for another time…)

Artists are forced to rise to the occasion, and create a process that allows them to create quality work in a timely manner.
(FYI - This can take years of repeating and experimenting in order to create a process that works and to develop the necessary skill required.)

Unfortunately, it usually goes unnoticed or under appreciated.

Not to mention that during this process, many Artists also lose passion for the work they once obsessed over because it’s now simply a step and repeat process catered to someone else’s standards.

We begin to slowly sacrifice our passion for income or validation.

“It’s not that complicated, can’t you do it faster?”
...as someone wants something in half of your usual delivery time but wants no quality to be compromised and refuses to pay extra.

“thanks for this but I decided to change directions...”
after you stayed up all night finding the perfect inspiration, crafting a beautiful illustration, and presenting some of your best work based off of their requirements. Not to mention the invoice goes unpaid because they “couldn’t use it.”

I could go a million different ways with this post, but let’s focus on this:

YES, we need to make a living.
YES, we need to continually grow and expand our craft.
YES, we need to accommodate to client needs and desires (when not delusional)...
BUT WE CANNOT give up the PLAY that got us to this point.
WE CANNOT forget that our Art was meant for us, first and foremost.

Remember when you first started doing what you’re doing? When it was fun and experimental and you were doing it because you enjoyed it?

Yes - that’s the feeling we need to chase.

Putting our own creative exploration first leads us to new excitement and passion.
And new passion, leads us to new discoveries.
And new discoveries, lead us to new processes.
And new processes, lead us to new offers.
And new offers, lead us to newfound freedom.

By playing, we become free.