What does it mean to be successful in your creativity? My father was an artist, still is to some extent. Now that he no longer functions well mentally, he must be pushed to draw or paint, but it's still there. He has the perspective, the composition, the artistry, even though he can only hold a 1 minute conversation at best and usually very repetitively. His artistic ability and the skills he developed have not gone. He has not been particularly successful in financial terms as he and my mum have always had the tendency to give paintings away. Every hospital Dad has stayed in in NZ has a painting of his; he gave away many of his expensive art books to the school he taught at; he gave time and energy to helping young bone carvers learn the techniques he perfected over the years, and his ex-pupils speak fondly of their time in his care. He was and is a generous man. Even now when I bring him fruit, he wants to share it with me. Dad shared everything he had without thinking of the cost. He gave away his beautiful violin to a violin teacher so that her pupils could use it. I have regret about that now that I have children of my own, but I know he would not feel a second's regret.
Dad had a few exhibitions during his active painting years, quite a few in the UK, very few in NZ. He wasn't ever very good at promoting himself, Mum did her best on that, but Dad was wary of "gimmicky" things. He could be quite disparaging of artists who employed what he perceived as gimmicks, populist appeal, or sensationalism. Dad gave up a "successful" job as head of art at Isleworth Polytechnic, to become head of art at Wanganui High School in 1973. He never regretted the move, loved going home for lunch rather than battling London traffic, enjoyed being hands-on with the kids and was such a popular teacher (especially with the rebellious kids), that during my time at High School, many kids were nice to me just for his sake!
Even with so many talents (acting, singing, playing guitar, painting, sculpting, bone-carving, teaching) he was faithful to use and develop them all. He loved God, though we argued often over his perception that somehow God had less information about situations that displeased him than he did.
Dad was, in my view, a very successful artist (he never compromised his art for profit), teacher, husband and father. Of course he was not a paragon of virtue he had a temper, was strong-willed and "always" right.
How does this relate to my writing or your artistic endeavours? Only this, to be a successful creative person does not necessarily mean making a lot of money, or even being widely popular, it is about being honest, being loving, making the best of what you have and being generous enough to pass on the good stuff, not just the leftovers.
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