Artist’s Life: An Artist Needs a Guru

It is essential for an artist, or just for anyone, as a matter of fact, to have a designated guru. We all need support but especially oversensitive and neurotic artists may need it most. So, from the very beginning get yourself a trustful ally and better yet coach him or her on what to say when you reach an unavoidable black hole.

I usually get support from the internet where many enthusiasts can quickly cheer me up if the time requires. Many artists may be isolated and loose a sense of reality faced with only their art, demons, insecurity and 4 walls of their studio, if they are lucky to own one.

I also have a friend who never fails to amaze me with her optimism when over coffee she can pretty much whip up all the glories that the future holds for me. Forget the success, can I just meet a person or two who will talk art on some reasonable level? Forget the riches, but can I just have a decent conversation about art, life, and what it all means?

My own husband recently surprised me giving me such ardent support that I almost got a feeling he is fighting for his own well-being. Probably, he well knows that my good mood is directly correlated to my work so he was also supporting tranquility of the household I actually run.

I just watched a great presentation on YouTube by Canadian professor and psychologist Jordan Peterson: Why You Need Art in Your Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z3mg6fjmzw and I recommend it for you and your guru and all your friends. Prof. Peterson has a nice experience working with artists and also grew to appreciate this creative contribution artists have on society. So, he thinks we are valuable ad that is a nice boost to self-esteem already.

An artist rarely can make it on her own. Getting support is necessary early step and may spare lots of discomfort… and get a dog. This dude will think your art rocks. If you get a cat he will say: Feed me, pet me, and go away! Oh, well.

Czesc.

Crystal Lake, IL