. 18/10/13 .

Last night I was fortunate enough to spend some time with a good friend of mine, and we got to talking about our art, and photography, and ultimately a good deal of other very inspiring and exciting topics. One of the things we discussed though was the differences between trying to create on your own “in a vacuum” and creating when you’re surrounded by creativity and other artistic people. The conclusion that was drawn at the end of the discussion was how much artists and creative people really do need each other for a multitude of reasons, here are 3 of the major points that were made:

 3 Reasons Why Artists NEED Other Artists:

1] – Brainstorming:

The act of sharing and expressing creative ideas in an open environment where those ideas are expanded-on and encouraged is an invaluable asset to any creative person. Having a person or group to bounce ideas off of is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to solidify a concept. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas for materials, or just trying to problem-solve a structural issue with a piece of work; having others that you can turn to, to give support or to share that little piece of knowledge that takes your work further than it would have gone; is IRREPLACABLE!  

2] – Inspiration & Support:

Every artist has moments where they might doubt themselves, creatively, skill-wise, or even simply as a whole. We need each other both for inspiration, and for support. When I see a piece of artwork, or photography, or film, or anything created by someone else that truly gets me excited, I feel like I form my own connection with that person, where I take that inspiration is not always obvious in my own work, but it’s there. Without the exposure to other people’s work or their inspirations I don’t feel that I would be the same kind of artist. Sharing with others expands the mind, opens mental doors, and bridges gaps that couldn’t happen without other creative people.
Likewise, we need support from each other for the kinds of struggles that only other creative people understand. Not everyone understands the push and pull between the world of creating, and the so-called “real world”; it can be extremely frustrating to try to balance the 2 worlds, especially within the sphere of one’s personal life. Having people around who understand you, your process, and the act of creating is very important. Without them, it can feel sometimes as though you’re fighting just to be yourself and do what comes naturally to YOU!

3] – Networking & Connections:

It can’t be expressed how many times I’ve heard the lovely phrase “Well I have this friend who might be able to help you out”. Networking and making connections with other artists is one of your BEST tools for expanding and building relationships, skills, and your work. The saying “No one is good at everything, but everyone is good at something” rings very true for creative people as well. For example, when troubleshooting projects where specific equipment or materials are needed, and you personally don’t have access to what’s needed; having those connections comes in handy 9 times out of 10. I can’t say how often one of my pieces has been saved by a friend, or even a friend of a friend, and its great knowing that I have people around me that I can count on for HELP!


Because of these 3 things; I am truly grateful to all of my creative friends and family members, schoolmates, colleagues, and even those who might be referred to as “haters”. I learn from everything and everyone, and because of that I grow, expand, and move closer to where I am supposed to be.