Never play to the gallery. Never work for other people in what you do. Always remember that the reason you initially started working was there was something inside yourself that, if you could manifest it, you felt you would understand more about yourself. I think it’s terribly dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people’s expectations.
Attempting to fulfill other people’s expectations is a fool’s errand when it comes to creative work. It’s inevitable that you will fail on some level, make compromises you regret, and end up with your worst work. You may or may not find acclaim, but you’ll be pretty miserable as a creative if you don’t follow your heart.
The ultimate paradox of creative work is that what you create for an audience of one is much more likely to reach an audience of millions.
If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth, and when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting
So how should you live?
1. Know enough about who you are (don’t play to the gallery). It’s your DNA, it’s your core, and that’s not going to be swayed by popular opinion
2. That’ll give you the confidence and freedom to push yourself and try new, scary, different things. You’ve got you on your side.
3. Share and learn from your fuck-ups. Life is an experiment when you’re pioneering new things.
4. Go again. If you never try, you’ll never know.
You are, and we are More Than Capable.
The ultimate paradox of creative work is that what you create for an audience of one is much more likely to reach an audience of millions.
