Why Do Artists Create?

Creating is part of our DNA. We all create, whether it be using words, paint, movement, combining tastes, problem solving, ordering, arranging, discovering, etc. We have been getting visions and insights into any area of interest since the beginning of time. These solutions come in the middle of the night, first thing in the morning, while on a walk, doing the laundry. For me, it involves listening and waiting. There are days when joys or sorrows or any emotion is stretching towards my studio, calling me to come and express "it" in there. I hope I take the time to respond. There is a oneness with our creator that happens when I am creating. Creating is bigger than just my ideas and my abilities.

When I see an artist's work that has lost the zing of freshness or become so canned that they simply lack the discovery, then I am sad. I heard someone say recently that AI does art better than people, I disagreed strongly. AI can't connect with the great creator. It can't infuse the emotion of the artist into the artwork.  

I just came from viewing Edward Knippers work at his studio, in North Carolina. There is evidence of a single mindedness of listening, waiting, hearing that is evident. There is growth through his many years of work. There is a consistency of vision and expression through all of his work.

Each individual has their unique view of the world, their own past history, their own likes and dislikes. Yes, there have always been copiers and plagiarizers. They have mastered technical skills. But my wish, even for them, is that they would value their own voice and give themselves permission to express it. I know it is a privilege and I am very aware that I have the financial security to create. But I didn't always live off of my creating, I worked jobs and continued to paint at night to ravenously explore and reach for every image I could not wait to attempt. Did they all work? No. Were some stellar and many others just fine? Yes. I am still discovering and hope I will always be on my own journey with creativity. Tell me how you find creativity and what you find gives you motivation and a hunger to create.