Creating for the Sake of Creating
When I share that I’ve been painting watercolors since leaving my last job, people usually ask, “Are you going to sell them?”
My answer is, “No.”
To which, I usually receive a perplexed look, as if to say, why would someone learn an art form if not to try to make money with it?
Creating is not just for capitalism–for selling what you make for money and profit–it is also a life-giving act all its own.
Since the beginning of time, people have created because we like to make things with our hands.
Cave dwellers painted on their cave walls. Tribal members that gathered food figured out how to make their woven baskets more pretty. Hunters carved spearheads to be sharp and decorative.
Humans have always created to make their lives better, and our lives are made better through creating.
Recently, I finished a set of watercolor paintings. I started these paintings in Robin Bundi’s Combining Watercolor and Ink class at North Seattle College from January through March of this year. This was the third class that I took with Robin, but the only class where I did not finish the majority of the paintings that I started in class. So over the next five months, I slowly worked on each painting one by one, and it brought me joy each time I did.
After finishing these paintings, I spread them out on my art table so that whenever I sit down or walk by, I see them. It brings me joy every time I look at them and realize, I did that.
Creating for the sake of creating is its own reward. It’s why I paint. And why I will continue to paint, whether I ever sell a painting or not.
If this sparks something in you, I encourage you to make something this month. Pick something to make just for the sake of making it–just for the fun and joy of it. See how it feels while you’re making that thing, and then put it somewhere where you can see it on a daily basis.
Experience creating for the sake of creating.
Peg Cheng (she/her) is an writer and artist living in Seattle, Washington. If you enjoyed reading this post, subscribe to Peg’s newsletter to get new posts sent right to you.
Way to go, Cubby! I love that wave crashing on the rocks, it reminds of classic Japanese prints. Speaking of Japan, I think there’s a zen story about an artist who answers a question about his process, and one thing he mentions is giving up any thought of gain from his art.
Thank you, Edgy! I am honored that my wave crashing on rocks reminds you of classic Japanese prints! Wow, that means a lot to me. And that line about the artist who gives up any thought of gain from his art resonates with me very much.