The Real Work of Being an Artist

Building the courage to look pretentious

Hello, Fans of Fall Frogs!

Am I brave enough to do the real work of being an artist?

frogs croak back and forth
searching for companionship
disconected ponds

The Real Work of Being an Artist

One of my favorite quotes from Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being is also one of the hardest for me to swallow:

The real work of being an artist is a way of being in the world.

I don’t know if it’s my Gen X punk rock roots, my experience growing up with parents afraid of creativity, or some combination of both, but I’m allergic to pretension. I used to make a great sport of skewering hypocrites and the self-important.

Now, I’m much older, and if not wiser, at least more aware of my own hypocrisy. I have a bit more empathy for anyone trying to do something in public.

If I take Rubin’s quote to heart, it’s calling to live the life of the artist full time. There is a risk in moving through the world as an artist. Immediately you are disconnected from the “normal” ways the world works. You notice more, you move at your own pace and you cut your own trails through the wilderness of life.

It’s thrilling and lonely. Dangerous and the only way for your soul to survive intact.

For me, the risk is that someone will think I’m being a pretentious asshole.

It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’ve tasted the freedom of living life as an artist, and I cannot go back to seeing the world any other way.

This morning, I had an ambitious productivity session planned. I was going to make a ton of comics today. However, during my morning haiku writing session, I felt called—summoned—by the Willamette River. It’s one of my favorite places to walk, and it had been a while since my last visit.

Instead of following my plan, I chose the way of the artist. I grabbed my notebook and headed to the river.

Here’s what I posted about it on Notes:

It was the right choice. I had a beautiful hike and found many things to write about, including a couple of noisy frogs.

Maybe I’m a pretentious asshole, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay if it means I get to spend more time being my true self.

I hope you find some time today to escape from the normal for a few moments and be your truest self. Maybe you’ll even find a moment or two to write a haiku.

Be the weird you want to see in the world!

Cheers,

Jason