Why Make Art?

So… Why make art after a long day of work, or first thing in the morning, instead of the snooze bar or during a lunch break? I don't know, but I seem to add reasons as I age.

I do it because it feeds me, makes me wrestle with things, allows me to fail, and then find solutions that make me better. I see better, think better, feel for others better, and feel accomplished (in failure and success).

Does that me I am always inspired? No, but I store up inspiration. I stuff them away as a squirrel does with nuts. I jot down sketches, ideas, and notes in my Moleskine and save screenshots by the thousands on my phone to try 'my versions' of them later.

But back to the point. I make 'Art' and 'art' for enjoyment. 'Ars gratia artis' is Latin for Art for art's sake. When I am enjoying my craft, I usually try something I am not entirely convinced I can pull off.

You will hear me pontificate the differences between 'Design' and 'Art' many times on this blog. The core reason I reveal in art is - it has no rules other than the ones you choose. I don't mean that artistic styles don't come with a defined set of rules. But you choose the language (style), and you select the accent (materials, color, instruments, etc.).

For me, art feeds my designs, solves business problems, and always gives me another way of looking at any situation. My battery charger and a close frenemy always teach me something about the world and myself.