A Good Artist
What makes an artist “good”? Is it their ability to paint with the technical skill of the old masters? Their knowledge of Western art history? Is it the passion to put their art above everything else? It’s not the confidence to brag about their creativity, or the flaunting of performative, “struggling artist” poverty, that’s for sure. I think it has a lot more to do with being kind and genuinely connecting with people.
When I think of the artists and celebrities I truly admire, it’s their character that stands out to me even more than their work. The perseverance of Frida Kahlo, the courage of Artemisia Gentileschi, the uniqueness of Yayoi Kusama, the activism and advocacy of Jane Fonda and Audrey Hepburn. Those are the women I aspire to be like.
I do not look up to the artists who spend their days smoking blunts on someone’s living room floor and telling everyone how prolific they are. In fact, if I have to listen to one more man mansplain my own career to me before going on to describe how doing acid made him realise that other people have feelings, I might actually resort to physical violence.
Humility is integral to artistic practice, and it shocks me that so many artists don’t seem to realise this. The best art I have ever made has been because of my connections to the world around me and the people I love. Being self-absorbed would never have led me there. What led me there was gratitude, empathy and mindfulness (or GEM, if you’re a Hugh Van Cuylenburg fan). That’s what these little stoner guys lack.
Now, I understand the desire to prove yourself as a creative. Trying to make a career out of something so undervalued in our society can definitely lead to us becoming pretty defensive when asked about our work. It’s like we want to say “I promise I’m actually good” and “I’m not being lazy, I’m trying really hard at this”. Still, it shouldn’t mean that you question the talents of others or spend entire conversations being arrogant and self-referential when someone at a house party asks what you do for a living. It’s much more fun to be underestimated and get to prove everyone wrong, anyway.
When I’ve died, I want people to remember me as a good artist and a great person. One cannot come with the other. I will spend my days writing and singing and painting, sure, but I will also spend my time calling my Mum and sending thank you messages and rescuing the birds that get stuck in this apartment. What makes me a good person, makes me a good artist. I will keep practising and practicing and I will keep getting better.
xx Rose
