How to Find Meaning in Your Art
Honestly, this is a loaded question that doesn’t have the “right” answer. ‘Meaning’ can represent something different for everyone.
My hope for this section is to:
- share resources that I found useful in my journey
- identify some of the stepping stones that were important for me as they might resonate with you
- chat about the concept of “meaning”
The meaning behind your art to you and the why you create art is such a unique concept.
For some it’s “I create art as a means of stress release and enjoyment”, for others it’s “I want my art to make a political statement / social statement and generate widespread cultural movements”. Neither viewpoint is right or wrong - it’s only wrong if it’s not *your* genuine viewpoint.
Painting trees because that’s the “popular*” thing right now and everyone seems to be doing it isn’t really getting to the meaning of your art (*tree pun intended).
Painting trees because you love to capture the way the light falls on the leaves and branches or because you’re an abstract artist and you love capturing the sense of calm you get from being in a forest…now those would give you a reason to keep creating and investigating.
I don’t think we should confuse meaning with validity either.
You painting trees because you’re good at them and have a market for them and you need to sell art so you can live. That’s a valid reason to paint trees.
But it doesn’t set your soul on fire and you want something to set your soul on fire, then you deserve to create some space within your practice to find that thing.
The Steps that I took:
1. I decided that I wanted something different from my art. If you’re happy with what you’re doing right now, don’t change because you feel like you “should”.
2. I did a free “Share the Work” workshop with an American artist Emily Jeffords - go where you get your podcasts and look for “Do it for the Process from Emily Jeffords”. Lots of great questions and ideas - definitely go and have a listen.
3. I wrote A LOT. I gave myself time to reflect about me and my opinions.
4. I wrote out what my perfect art week included.
5. I thought about what I liked when I was younger - writing was a big one, art-wise I used to do a bit of charcoal work for example that wasn’t showing up in my existing work
6. I allowed myself to explore writing again - even though it wasn’t obvious at the time how writing would do anything for my visual art practice
7. I kept experimenting and engaging in things like hashtag challenges on Instagram
8. I joined an art membership (Art Tribe)
9. I thought about the things that mattered to me in the present day and what I have an emotional connection to - could those provide a link to my art? And could they help me find my artistic community?
10. This is the most important step. I gave myself permission. Permission to try new things. Permission to invest in myself - the art membership and I set up my first website. Permission to play. Permission to sit and reflect. Permission to express myself - even if what I wanted to do wasn’t what other artists / creatives seemed to be doing.
My story:
Between 2018 and 2022 approximately I painted for enjoyment, to spend time doing something creative. As time progressed, I tried to let go of the idea that only "good" art was valid/worthy.
In 2022, I wondered "why do I create art?! I don't sell it. I'm not connected to the subject mater really. I don't want to make stuff 'just because'. So why do it?!"
That lead me to the steps that I outlined above.
In 2023, I have extended my art practice to include creative writing. I now create poems and prose around a subject I am deeply emotionally connected to (motherhood) and I figure out how to visually represent that. And do you want to know the funny thing?! A lot of the old subject matter (seascapes, landscapes, florals...) represent a lot of the feelings that I want to portray.
So all the work and explorations previously done were all still useful and interesting to me - I just needed a meaning to anchor them.
And I bet it's the same for you!
Questions to help you find the meaning behind your art:
Grab a pen and notebook and get answering:
Why do you currently create art?
Why do you want to change that?
How do you feel when you make your art?
How would you like to feel?
Do you have a topic/subject/style that you'd like to focus on?
Why aren't you focusing on that?
What are the skills/knowledge gaps you think you have when you compare your current art with what you'd like to make?
What art/artists are you drawn to?
Why are you drawn to them?
If you could create in any style, what would that be?
What colours are you attracted to? Warm/cold? Saturated/unsaturated?
What type of people buy your art? Are these the ideal customers for your current art style or the art you want to make?
Does the need to sell your art stop you from exploring?
What does your ideal art day look like?
What kind of art did you make as a kid?
Outside of art, what do you like to do?