On Doing what You do

I have to get this off my chest because this topic comes up all the time around our house these days with our 18 year old. What should I do now? I don't know what my major is and I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing? I hear artists say the same things and even uttered the same words. What should I paint? I recently had breakfast with a highly successful artist. He makes over 7 figures as an income. He wants to retire and do his " own " Art. I asked him... what would that be ? and he replied " I don't know".

 When I was in the Art Dept  at U.S.C. the spirit of the age ( zeitgeist ) for an artist was abstract expressionism. It had full potency in terms of legitimacy and relevance in current art circles. Try as I might at that time to fit in , I knew it was not me. There were many artists whose works I admired like Diebencorn ( I spelled it wrong but art types will know who I mean ) and Stella but I could not see myself doing that sort of work. It was not me. To thine own self be true said a character to his son in Hamlet. Somehow I knew my path was not down that road. So after a year I transfered to Art Center College of Design where there was a more traditional friendly mindset.

 We are often slammed on our career ship by the crashing waves of public opinion and current trends. We see others surf that wave and become successful and gain lots of attention. If we are comfortable in that mindset then there is no mental anguish or second guessing but if we sense that we have put on a mask and are driven to act out by some invisible puppet master in order to be accepted ala Zelig then we are in danger of losing ourselves and our vital core as an artist and as a communicator. One's voice is to be gaurded for it is a gift from the Almighty. You can thank your lucky stars if you have avoided Art School.

 So... my son has been an object lesson that has taught me something these days. He is an on fire christian young man. He gets up at 5:30 on Tuesdays to attend a bible study with his youth leader. He has organized a praise and worship meeting at his public school. He travels to another school to help out in a praise service. And he wants to go to Costa Rica to be involved in a missionary outreach. It seems obvious to me where his heart is and what he should be up to. I've even had a lunch with his youth pastor who tells me that he sees Isaac as a prime candidate to enter the ministry. It is just a matter of time where the " Voice" of his public school counselor and the " Voice" that he hears in his heart come to terms.

 As artists , we are happiest when we accept our bent. Are you an Oak or a DogWood? Glen Miller took off as a musician when he quit competing with Benny Goodman in his mind.

 Whose voice are you listening too?