We are misunderstood and often overlooked by society, much like the court Jester who the king and the patrons of the court would regard him to be but a fool. But that is the genius and madness of the Jester, because the King and the patrons of the court would be the subject of his art. That is why the Jester is so prevalent in my art.
A friend introduced me to a book IGNORE EVERYBODY and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh Mac Leod. It is a simple and honest read and offers advice that is invaluable. I would recommend it to every artist and non-artist person. It makes you think.
The more original your idea is, the less good advice other people will be able to give to you.:
"You don't know if your idea is any good... Neither does anyone else."
"The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to be yours."
Above quotes are little tid-bits of Hugh Mac Leod's earnest wisdom and IGNORE EVERYBODY is the best resource of encouragement that any artist can read... and anyone else that is not an artist. But why Hugh's book is brought in a discussion pointer, is that artists strive and struggle against the conventions of success as society would define it.
To be successful you have to have that 'good job' and that 'nice car' and maybe be married and have kids.... things like that. You have to go to college and get that degree or work your way up the corporate ladder, who are very much against conventions of free thinking; unless they can profit from it and then it is not so much free thinking rather than self-promotion of power and wealth. But this is another matter to be addressed, but not here.
But life offers its challenges where it will test your metal and your spirit. You just have to keep on dreaming and believing and working to some point of destination. You have to work at it and fight for it. That's what it's all about, but you can never allow yourself to give up on yourself, because nothing is impossible. It is only impossible if you allow yourself accept it to be so. The world and society and even your friends and family may tell you that it is mad to try the things that you want to do, but that is the world talking, not you.
So boot up and tell the world to buckle in cause you ain't giving up and don't give a damn what people say or think. As long as you believe that you can and you work for it.. sooner or later you will succeed.
Remember, success is relative. It doesn't mean you are wealthy rich. It means you are doing what you want to do with your life and content in being who and what you are. Hopefully others will see, notice and learn and maybe just maybe you and I can change the world for the better. But it begins with believing. Simple as that.
Gavion E. Chandler~
"Man is his own devil.'