As I think back to the streets of Paris I have visions of artists. Artists of every type out there doing what they are passionate about. Paris is such an inspiring place, and I think that this is one of the qualities that makes it such a pool of inspiration. Everywhere you turn there is someone on a street corner radiating creativity in their own unique form. Whether they are taking on the persona of a statue above the Seine River...
joyfully playing an accordian at the bottom of Sacre Coeur mid-morning...
collecting a few euros in front of a cafe in Montmartre...
gazing out the window of a screen printing studio at dusk...
or, of course, drawing someone's portrait...
... they are all doing something that they love and are radiating creativity in their own unique ways. Just by being surrounded by all of these artists in Paris doing what they loved made me want to take out my own paint brushes and pencils. It is so easy for an artist to become a hermit and to be creative in the presence of only themselves. I have a tendency to want to work in solitude. There is a side of me that would be perfectly content working in my studio from morning to night by myself. While this is a natural and comfortable way to be an artist it is not always the healthiest way to exist.
I think that we as artists can benefit so much from being in community with other artists. We can learn from each other, be inspired by one another, encourage each other, and spur each other on to become better at what we do. One of my goals for this year is to do a better job at being in community with other artists. I have already chosen a local art group that I am going to join and I am really excited about it! I would also encourage any artists out there that are not a part of an artistic community to get connected as well. Think of what you could be missing out on if you don't. Think about why people flock to cities like Paris. Think about joining a flock instead of flying solo. Come on with me and take flight!