More on the Purpose of Art

Jori Lynn Keyser saw my post about the article she wrote for Art Calendar magazine, titled "The Art of the Art Business: Marketing From the Creative Mind". She left the following comment, which I think is important, and I'm reposting it here so you'll see it.

"I just accidentally ran across your blog entry about my article in Art Calendar, and of course, you raise a good point that I simply didn't have the space to explore in that one article.

I believe that we get what we want by giving other people what they want. How this can actually work in art, which we think of in our present society as a means of raw self-expression, is a good question and it behooves us to try it out and see. "Giving other people what they want" doesn't necessarily mean painting only images we think other people will like. It can also have to do with the activities we offer around the art (how and where we show it and what we can give through that channel is a good example). As regards the work itself, maybe we can ask questions like: "What can I address in other people's hearts that will speak to them, enrich their lives, and make them want to live with my painting?" This question gives both sides quite a lot of room to be themselves, yet find out in what deep and true place they can actually meet.

One of the major points of marketing from the creative mindset is that everyone in the transaction comes away with more than they had. This is not only possible, it's necessary for true prosperity, and I believe it's a wonderful aspect that enhances our own creative processes."