Enterprising
Jacob Marshall on what it means to be Enterprising
en·ter·pris·ing [en-ter-prahy-zing]
-adjective
1. ready to undertake projects of importance or difficulty, or untried schemes; energetic in carrying out any undertaking.
2. characterized by great imagination or initiative.
What is an artist if not enterprising?
An artist begins with a vision of that which does not yet exist. The artist starts with a feeling, an understanding (even if it can't be expressed yet), of what could be. The challenge lies in constructing the bridge from idea to finished form. And THIS is the essence of the artistic enterprise. Some bridges are made of sound. Some are made of paint. Some of word. Some of action. Some come from building and some from removing what stands in the way of seeing what is already there.
How does one build a bridge?
Define your success so that your vision is preserved in the wake of other opinions.
Make your goals specific and concrete.
Use your time, energy, and resources to focus on the steps required to reach those specific goals. Your understanding and your goals may evolve but so then must your blueprints.
The digital age has rendered previous definitions of success obsolete.
No one goal equals "success." Success in art is about being able to continue working. Art is one of very few fields where the ability to work is "the reward" for your work.
Satisfaction will ultimately come in seeing your unique spirit captured and brought to life in your work.
If you are extremely fortunate, you may see someone's eyes light up with inspiration, empathy, or enlightenment.
Don't put the cart before the horse. If you aim to create what you think other people want then you are surrendering your greatness. True art leads.
Your job is best done when the art that you make reveals a new dimension of the art that God has already made.
Strive for greatness and remember that your unique point of view is a gift you have been given. This is what the world really needs to see, to hear, and to feel.
The world is made of individuals. If you want your art to speak to the world, it must speak to the individual.
Remember, popularity is not directly proportional to excellence or calling. And finally, success is never simply monetary. There are plenty of miserable rich people.
You will fail before you succeed. When you find yourself face down in the dirt, please, please, please get back up and keep creating. The world needs you.
en·ter·pris·ing [en-ter-prahy-zing]
-adjective
1. ready to undertake projects of importance or difficulty, or untried schemes; energetic in carrying out any undertaking.
2. characterized by great imagination or initiative.
What is an artist if not enterprising?
An artist begins with a vision of that which does not yet exist. The artist starts with a feeling, an understanding (even if it can't be expressed yet), of what could be. The challenge lies in constructing the bridge from idea to finished form. And THIS is the essence of the artistic enterprise. Some bridges are made of sound. Some are made of paint. Some of word. Some of action. Some come from building and some from removing what stands in the way of seeing what is already there.
How does one build a bridge?
Define your success so that your vision is preserved in the wake of other opinions.
Make your goals specific and concrete.
Use your time, energy, and resources to focus on the steps required to reach those specific goals. Your understanding and your goals may evolve but so then must your blueprints.
The digital age has rendered previous definitions of success obsolete.
No one goal equals "success." Success in art is about being able to continue working. Art is one of very few fields where the ability to work is "the reward" for your work.
Satisfaction will ultimately come in seeing your unique spirit captured and brought to life in your work.
If you are extremely fortunate, you may see someone's eyes light up with inspiration, empathy, or enlightenment.
Don't put the cart before the horse. If you aim to create what you think other people want then you are surrendering your greatness. True art leads.
Your job is best done when the art that you make reveals a new dimension of the art that God has already made.
Strive for greatness and remember that your unique point of view is a gift you have been given. This is what the world really needs to see, to hear, and to feel.
The world is made of individuals. If you want your art to speak to the world, it must speak to the individual.
Remember, popularity is not directly proportional to excellence or calling. And finally, success is never simply monetary. There are plenty of miserable rich people.
You will fail before you succeed. When you find yourself face down in the dirt, please, please, please get back up and keep creating. The world needs you.