art smarts

Chapter 3. Inspiration

why do you make art?

is it to have fun? to express something you’re feeling? to express an idea? to advance a political agenda? all of these things at the same time? what will keep you going when your body hurts from carving stone or from sitting in front of the computer? why do you pound the pavement and make endless phone calls to establish yourself as a successful performer? what gives you strength when you feel like giving up? inspiration comes from many sources, and people make art for various reasons.

The ancient Greeks believed that there were Muses, or goddesses, who presided over the arts and sciences and inspired those who worked at these pursuits. The word ‘Muse’ is related to the Latin word mens, meaning memory or reminder, because in the earliest times, poets had no books to read from and relied on their memories.

The Muses represent an old, romantic idea. Artists may jokingly say that they are waiting for the Muse to visit them if they are stuck for what to do next, but in reality any number of things or experiences in our real lives can inspire us to create art. Remember, when we talk about art, we’re not talking just about “fine” art in a gallery or theatre but about a whole range of expressions that can be personal or collective, refined or raw, political or humorous, beautiful or ugly. Almost anything can be considered art – whether it was created to be art in the first place or not – if it is presented or perceived as art at some later time. It’s all in the eyes or ears of the beholder. So we’ll put aside any attempt at defining art for you, and just recommend that you leave your mind open.

Here’s what the artists we interviewed told us about why they create:

• My enjoyment of art and desire to get better give me a reason to live.
• My pain goes away when I’m making art.
• It helps me meditate.
• I can escape.
• I want to push myself to do more and different work.
• I don’t want to do anything else.
• I can’t do anything else.
• To express myself, communicate a message.
• To make a living.
• Because it’s therapeutic. I can get things out of my system .
• Because I love to work with children.
• In the arts community, there’s an acceptance that I haven’t experienced elsewhere.

Many of us have grown up with the idea that only certain people can be artists. We often think that they are born with a “God-given talent”and a primal urge to create, that they could never imagine doing anything else. They live crazy, isolated, impoverished lives until they are discovered and then they become rich and famous. This storybook version may happen for some, but the truth is that everyone’s path is different. Very few of the people who make art become famous or can support themselves with their art. But even if you must do other things to make a living, you can still make art and call yourself an artist.

You don’t need a reason to make art, and your art doesn’t have to meet any “standard.” What’s important is that it means something to you. The pure enjoyment can be reward enough, and the therapeutic value has been well documented. But for some, art-making is a passion, an over-whelming drive to communicate ideas and feelings.

For people with disabilities who have difficulty with communication, art may offer alternate ways to express themselves. Many believe, as we do, that people with disabilities have a unique point of view, a perspective on being human that their peers, as well as people without disabilities, might learn from.

Inspiring quotes by artists with disabilities