Following Your Dream!!
What is it that makes an artist truly an artist?
There are some “9 – 5” workers who might not take you seriously if you say you want to make a living off of singing, acting, painting or dancing. Artists are often made to feel like second class citizens in a world that favors people with concrete jobs. This could be crippling to an artist’s identity, but never the less, they must succeed. Looking within and being true to your dream is the only way to do it. The actor, dancer, painter, writer, and singer were put on earth to express and stimulate the emotions of their audience. This is such an important task for an artist to embark on.
Being in Los Angeles for these past three weeks has shown me the meaning of faith and dedication to one’s craft. I have been to an actor’s workshop at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, concerts in the streets, clubs and even at Spiritual Centers. Everyone that I have seen and spoken to has extreme passion and confidence in what they are doing. How else are you supposed to live in this world without doing and creating what you love? It does not matter how old you are, where you live or what you ultimately want to do, as long as you follow your journey. There is always a way out of ‘no way’. Use all the resources you have in your community, seek guidance from the internet, authors and classes. There is always information available for your craft.
Being a musician myself, I have experienced family members and friends telling me that at some point in my life I will have to give up my dream to come into the “real world”. As a result of this, I began working a full time job, leaving less and less time for what I truly desired. The land of Hollywood has definitely changed my outlook on who I am and will aspire to be. This is a good place to be if you want to pursue your artistry, because there are thousands of people out here trying to accomplish the same thing, but you can ultimately do that from just about any location. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and what you are trying to do.
I have had the extreme pleasure in viewing great artists such as John West and bands like UltraLove that have a simply amazing sound. They are able to be free as performers on stage and really connect with the audience. The songs they write about have meaning in their life and inspire their listeners. Would these artists have been able to come this far if they had listened to the negativity of other people? Well, you already know the answer to that, so if you are an aspiring artist in this land of infinite possibilities, please continue to follow your chosen path.
Just follow your dream!
Check out some of these artists:
John West on Facebook!
John West on myspace!
UltraLove on myspace!
This is a wonderful poem for all of you creative people out there:
I believe I am worth the time it takes to create
Whatever I feel called to create.
I believe that my work is worthy of its own space,
Which is worthy of the name Sacred.
I believe that, when I enter this space, I have the right
To work in silence, uninterruptedly, for as long as I choose.
I believe that the moment I open myself to the gifts of the Muse,
I open myself to the Source of All Creation
And become One With the Mother of Life Itself.
I believe that my work is joyful, useful and constantly changing,
Flowing through me like a river with no beginning and no end.
I believe that what it is I am called to do
will make itself known when I have made myself ready.
I believe that the time I spend creating my art
is as precious as the time I spend giving to others.
I believe that what truly matters in the making of art
Is not what the final piece looks or sounds like,
Not what it is worth or not worth,
but what newness gets added to the universe
in the process of the piece itself becoming.
I believe that I am not alone in my attempts to create,
And that once I begin the work, settle into the strangeness,
The words will take shape, the form find life, and the spirit take flight.
I believe that as the Muse give to me,
So does she deserve from me:
Faith, mindfulness and enduring commitment.
© 1984 Jan Phillips
