Artists as Leaders: How Your Art Can Change the World

I believe in the power of art. I believe that artists are leaders. And I believe that there has never been a time in our history when art has been so desperately needed.

This is a call to arms.

The world is changing quickly. As more people stare into their phones, trusting everything they see, following rhetoric that’s easier to believe than to question, art still has the power to make us think and feel.

Art is communication.

And though we find ourselves in the so-called “Communication Age,” never has there been greater need for true communication. Never has there been greater need for understanding, for ethics-driven principles.

Art brings human values back into the conversation.

So this is a time of opportunity for us. Not only do more avenues exist for you to share your work and spread your message, but your voice and sensibilities are essential now.

This is a time for artists to lead. For you to lead.

I understand that it’s also a very scary time. But know that artists throughout history have boldly risen to the challenge, and we shall too.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be apologetic. Don’t make yourself small.

Use your work to speak out about whatever you feel called to say.

How do you want to leave the world behind for you having been here?

If you read my messages, you know that I believe that art is about more than just pretty pictures. It’s about the communication of ideas.

That’s why I feel it’s every artist’s duty to use their work to heal the world. And it starts by using your work to heal yourself.

But, you might be thinking that your work is about flowers or pet portraits or landscapes. How can you heal the world?

I don’t think there’s anything more healing than beauty. Do you?

I know that this challenge is difficult. Being an artist always has been. It’s easier to succumb to the overwhelm of everyday life, the pressures of money and relationships and tasks.

But life will always give us this kind of friction.

And it’s even more difficult for us because as creators, we crave the “ah-ha” moments. We’re addicted to the euphoria.

The truth is that we need the friction that real life brings to create work of value. We need to push ourselves with new directions and new problems to solve.

We need to overcome these challenges in order to get to those places of flow, of magic, of connection. There’s no other way.

If you want change, you have to make that change happen. You have to be that change.

You must commit to the tasks at hand, commit to making work of value, and commit to sharing it with a wider audience.

This is how you will save the world.

Because you are an ARTIST.