Artistic Blueprint

January 15, 2025


Throughout history, great artists have not only created groundbreaking work, but they also lived their lives in pursuit of a singular, often relentless, dedication to their craft. By looking back at the lives of these greats, we can learn lessons on how to place art at the forefront of our lives and pursue it with unwavering devotion. And surprisingly, the secret to finding our own artistic blueprint can be discovered in the books they left behind—whether it's their letters, biographies, or writings that reveal the depth of their commitment.

Lives Devoted to Art

If we step back and examine the lives of artists who shaped the world, we’ll find a common thread: an unwavering commitment to their art above all else. Take Leonardo da Vinci, for example. His notebooks, filled with sketches, ideas, and scientific observations, reveal a man who was not just interested in creating art, but in understanding the very nature of the world. His obsession with learning and perfecting his craft never waned—he was constantly pursuing new ways to express his observations through art.

Michelangelo’s life is another profound example. The sheer scale of his work, from the Sistine Chapel to his sculptures, reveals a man who spent years—sometimes decades—perfecting each piece. The pursuit of artistic excellence was not a hobby for Michelangelo; it was his calling, and he often sacrificed personal comforts and happiness for it. His letters and diaries show that his devotion to his work was intense and often came at the expense of a typical social life.

This laser-focus on the work, the willingness to suffer for the craft, is what made these artists timeless. It was never about seeking fame or material comfort; it was about pushing boundaries, creating something lasting, and making a mark on the world.

Prioritizing the Art

To understand the greatness of these artists, we must recognize how they placed their craft at the center of their lives. For them, art wasn’t just something they did; it was their purpose, their reason for existence. They didn’t wait for the "perfect conditions" to begin creating. They didn’t wait for inspiration to strike from the heavens. They worked relentlessly, often in the face of adversity, doubt, and external distractions.

In the same way, we as modern artists must learn to prioritize our work. In today’s world, we often get caught up in the noise of daily life: the pressure of social media, the constant need for validation, or the demands of everyday survival. But great artists of the past teach us that these external factors should never overshadow the true calling of our art.

How do we do this?

Create a routine: Great artists often had a structured schedule, blocking out time each day to immerse themselves in their work. By making art a daily practice, you can build consistency and momentum.

Embrace solitude: Many artists, from Van Gogh to Kafka, spent time in isolation, away from distractions, to truly connect with their art. Sometimes, we need to step away from the noise of the world and find peace within ourselves.

Sacrifice comfort: This doesn’t mean living in poverty or hardship, but it does require us to let go of the immediate pleasures and comforts that might pull us away from our craft. The sacrifice of time, energy, or even socializing may be necessary to give our art the attention it deserves.

Secret is in the Books

While the lives of great artists are inspiring, the deeper secret to their devotion can be found in the books they left behind. Whether it’s the letters of Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo, the diaries of Franz Kafka, or the notebooks of Da Vinci, these written works reveal the inner workings of their minds—the struggles, doubts, and relentless pursuit of their art.

Books, both written by the masters themselves and about them, provide us with a window into their world. These writings shed light on their thoughts, their struggles with creativity, their obsession with perfection, and their willingness to push forward despite hardship.

The power of reading can’t be overstated. When we read about the lives of the great artists, we tap into a shared experience of dedication, passion, and hard work. We gain insight into how they managed their inner demons, navigated periods of self-doubt, and kept pursuing their art even when success seemed out of reach. These stories offer a roadmap for us to follow, not by mimicking their exact lives or methods, but by understanding the underlying principles of their dedication.

Your Own Blueprint

The great artists of history didn’t become legends overnight. They, too, were once novices. But they didn’t allow uncertainty or difficulty to deter them. Their blueprint wasn’t about external validation or fame; it was about an intense, almost sacred devotion to their craft. They learned from those who came before them, built on their skills, and then passed down their knowledge for us to discover.

As modern artists, we have access to an extraordinary wealth of knowledge in books, both historical and contemporary. By immersing ourselves in the lives of the masters, we can distill their wisdom and apply it to our own creative journeys.

The blueprint for your success as an artist isn’t a secret hidden in some distant corner of the world. It lies in the stories of those who came before you, in the books they wrote, in the pages of history they filled with their words and images. The path may not be easy, but it is there—waiting for you to walk it, just as they did.

As you embark on your artistic journey, remember that you stand on the shoulders of giants. The great artists of the past have already shown us the way: through relentless dedication, an unwavering commitment to the craft, and the pursuit of art above all else. To understand how to prioritize art in your own life, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You only need to look back, learn from their experiences, and incorporate their lessons into your own work. The blueprint for you as an artist has already been drawn—it's waiting for you in the books.

Now, it’s your turn to make it your own.