How can an Artist / Illustrator provide value for you personally and the community?

[Alarin]

I'm a full-time artist / illustrator and I'm trying to think of ways I can create genuine value for the world with my particular skillset* - things that will genuinally make people's lives better!

The trouble is I'm not sure where to start so I wanted to ask you guys... is there anything an artist could do or give to you that would make your life more positive, or improve the lives of people in the community?

I feel like a fledgling light-worker who's not quite sure where to spread the light so it actually makes a difference. I'd really love to hear any ideas you might have! Thanks


* My particular skillset is being able to draw and paint pretty much anything, so creating completely new realities on paper, or painting people as they want to see themselves.

[Baltar]

How about painting a mural for your city/town? Probably would have to do this as an organized event with other artists. But you must be friends with a lot of artists, right?

[songwriter]

Well, well... artists change the world. They show the "important" things and put them for the people to see and hear.
I personally think that The Beatles changed the world more than all the PD experts together...
Do art with your heart, do what you like to do, you'll show about yourself, what makes you sad or happy, etc... people with identify with you and see what's really important. Art just reminds us who we are really.

Artists are like strippers... only that we get naked our soul not our body.

[fourthdan]

I agree with songwriter - but not about the stripper analogy - didn't quite get that

anyways, if your thoughts are filled with positive things and are maybe even PD related... then that will come through in your art.

[helgi]

You can look at this from two perspectives: your contribution at the level of effect, and at the level of cause; Top-down, bottom-up. And these are then two levels of priority/importance, primary and secondary.

Approaching it on the level of effect, you could try to do something overtly charitable, like donating your time drawing portraits of children in a children's hospital etc., but always keeping in mind that this level is only ever of secondary importance.
The level of cause is then always of primary importance, which would be the level of consciousness out of which your artwork comes. And so how exactly that manifests in form is then something that will be revealed in time.

Simply extending peace and kindness to your clients and those around you is in and of itself a significant contribution to the world. And I'm sure that if you simply put your focus on doing whatever you happen to be doing at the moment with love and quality, the particular steps you need to take on the level of effect will become clear.

edit: I'm reminded of an artist (think he's Scottish), that makes paintings and then leaves them out on the streets of his city with a note on the back that says something to the effect of "Hello, my name is such and such and this painting is for you to keep."
A wonderful way of extending kindness to strangers with art.

[Michelle]

Why not think more in terms of what you want to give?

For the longest time, I had trouble with purpose because I felt I had to choose between teaching singing and singing. One day I realized no one was forcing me to make that choice. It is possible to teach without being in a classroom or studio. I can be on stage singing and still be a teacher. This way of doing things, which resonates with my soul, is where I have had most success in producing value.

I am sure the answer to your question is inside of you. Ultimately, it is about what satisfies you. What could you do that would be of value to your life, to your society, to your world? What do you want? Only you know what your value is, and what your gifts to the world will be.

[Alarin]

Thanks very much for the response !

Baltar - That's a great idea! I don't actually know many artists in my local area yet since I just moved here but I'm sure I can hook up with some. I'll have a look at the council website and see if they have any projects like that coming up or any wall space for painting. It was great in Brisbane actually where I used to live because the council there had an ongoing project for artists to paint these big ugly boxes all around the city (I think they were electrical junctions or cable boxes or something) and so every few blocks there was a beautiful bright happy painting on one of these boxes.

songwriter and fourthdan - I love this - "people with identify with you and see what's really important." Sometimes I forget that, that even by just living in a positive and grateful way and sharing that through my art I can make a difference, thanks for reminding me of that!

helgi - Thanks for your insight! I like the idea of focusing on cause rather than effect. I do try and provide additional value with all of my work, like when I sell a painting I wrap it up beautifully with ribbon so it looks like a present because I want people to feel really special and valued when they open the artwork they've bought, the expense I cover myself in order to provide them with more real value than the monetary value they've given me in exchange, is that sortof along the right track? The Scottish artist sounds wonderful, like the "Free Hugs" guy.

Michelle - A very good point! I think in a general sense I want to give hope and encouragement to the world but it's finding practical ways to do that through my art that's the challenge. I'm sure something will come to me soon though, it seems to be the way with these things, and I'll update here when I've had some more practical ideas. Thanks for your advice!

[garg]

Hi,
I think I know you from somewhere. Your website and art work looks very familiar :-D. We probably visit the same art forums...

I think that just doing art is in a way providing value for people Everyone looks to look at art. Just being an artist is providing value

[Alarin]

Originally Posted by garg

Hi,
I think I know you from somewhere. Your website and art work looks very familiar :-D. We probably visit the same art forums...

I think that just doing art is in a way providing value for people Everyone looks to look at art. Just being an artist is providing value

Hey Garg Hehe very possibly, I currently hang out at Fantasy Artists Emerging and DSG, and in the past have been on AFAE, 4UMamouth, ArtBQ, Messy Chillroom, and Epilogue (years ago), any of those ring a bell?

[garg]

Ah yes. Lina's 4UM . I used to be a mod there.

[geekchic9]

What are your rates for say, a logo on a web site. I know this is not your specialty, but if you know someone who is willing to do something for a soon-to-be nonprofit, please see my thread on the "Personal BA" idea.