We each have our own art.
It's alive, breathing, growing, changing.
It sleeps, it eats, and it moves.
It's there somewhere inside of us.
Mine feels like it's my gut—in my belly somewhere. Sometimes, it holds firm in my feet and feels like a strong, immovable iron pillar. Other times, it bubbles up into my chest and swirls around my heart, fluttering and dancing and feeling new and effervescent. Sometimes it feels asleep and undetectable. I wonder if it left and whether it will return. Then I feel it stir awake and provoke me to engage with it.
Your art is there: sometimes strong, evident, and unmistakable, and other times it's subtle and quiet. You can try to ignore it or deny it—and it might let you for a little while—but then, like a lion, it will pounce and tackle you to the floor until you create it.
Your art has a lifespan; if it comes out too late, it loses its ability to resonate. What if Picasso's cubist guitar had hit the scene 20 years later because he was worried it was too edgy? Your art has a job to influence the next idea, whether it is your idea or someone else's. Our creativity is collective.
Your art is one of the most insistent and nagging voices inside of you. It taps you on the shoulder any chance it gets. It begs for your attention and wants to be acknowledged when overlooked.
Your art is like a small child at first, needing lots of love, reassurance, and nurturing. As it grows and develops, it becomes more independent and requires a little less "babying." It might even have a rebellious teenager stage where it wants to stay up all night, do some risky, edgy things, and not care if any adults like it! Then, it will settle into its true voice and know who it is.
Like your child, it will always be yours and never leave your heart. It will grow with you and still insist on being part of everything you do.
This is your moment to really nurture your art.
NO—you are not selfish, and it is NOT frivolous. It is one of the most important things you will do.
Spend lots of quality time with your art, and make it a priority.
The more you invest, the more it will be able to express itself. Don't starve, deprive, or impoverish your art. Feed it, be generous with it, and lavish it with love and attention.
Give your art its own room in your house. Buy it lots of things to learn from, like supplies, workshops, courses, and experiences.
Most importantly, protect it!! Do not allow anyone to speak abusively to it or shame it. Don't allow others to doom your art to failure or say that it doesn't belong in this world. Protect it by being committed and devoted to it.
Treat your art like it is precious, and it will grow up and change the world!