Living the Art Life

March 8, 2025


In a world where everyone seems to be constantly talking about their dreams and ambitions, it's easy to fall into the trap of merely discussing the “art life” rather than actively living it. The truth is, if you want to achieve your artistic goals, there’s no substitute for action. Being an artist isn’t about giving speeches or posting trendy quotes on social media. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, getting your hands dirty, and putting in the work.

Action vs. Words

We live in an age where the conversation around art and creativity is often louder than the actual creation itself. Social media platforms are full of artist profiles boasting about their dreams, sharing inspirational quotes, and showing off bits and pieces of their projects. But while posting about art or discussing one’s goals is nice, it’s not the thing that actually moves you forward.

Being about the art life means that you take consistent action. You make art because it’s not just something you want to do, but something you must do. It becomes part of your identity, your rhythm, and your daily routine. Art is not an occasional hobby, it’s a priority. You show up day after day, even when inspiration is fleeting, and continue to push your craft forward.

Talking about art, on the other hand, often gives people the illusion of progress. It’s easy to have big dreams and to share them with the world, but action is what makes those dreams come to life. Without action, it’s just talk—noise that distracts from the deeper, quieter work that happens in the studio and on the canvas. Art, like anything meaningful, is created through hours of practice, experimentation, and sometimes, failure.

Art Life Is Designed

To truly live the art life, you must be intentional. It's not about hoping inspiration strikes or waiting for the perfect moment. The art life is designed, sculpted by your decisions, and shaped by your priorities. It’s a life where art becomes central, and your time, space, and energy revolve around it.

Living an artistic life requires crafting your day-to-day existence in a way that allows for continuous creation. The key is to make art a non-negotiable part of your life. This means carving out time in your schedule to create—even if it's just an hour a day. It’s also about creating an environment that nurtures creativity, whether it’s a physical studio or a mental space free of distractions.

Art isn’t something that happens only when you feel "in the mood." It’s made through intentional design. When you prioritize art, it becomes woven into the fabric of your existence.

Guiding Light

Living the art life means putting your artistic goals front and center. This requires clear vision and consistent effort. Without a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, your artistic pursuits can easily become scattered or diluted. Being an artist requires saying no to distractions and learning to focus on what truly matters.

This doesn’t mean that every moment is spent in perfect, uninterrupted focus. Life will always present its challenges—family, work, social obligations—but the artist who lives the art life does not allow those things to pull them away from their passion for too long. Art must remain a priority. Even when life feels chaotic, the artist finds a way to return to their practice. Whether it’s a sketch before bed, a quick writing exercise in the morning, or a few hours dedicated to sculpting on weekends, it’s the discipline of continual effort that makes the difference.

Continuous Effort

A key part of being about the art life is understanding that it’s not a destination—it’s a continuous journey. You’ll never "arrive" in a sense that means you've completed your artistic ambitions. Art is an ever-evolving process, and you, as the artist, are also evolving.

Success doesn’t come from a one-time burst of creativity. Instead, it’s the cumulative effect of consistent, deliberate action. Even on the days when your work feels uninspired, showing up is half the battle. Consistency, not perfection, is what will eventually lead you closer to your artistic goals.

And in the process, you’ll find that the art itself becomes a reward. The satisfaction of completing a painting is far greater than any amount of praise or recognition you could get from talking about your art.

Built on Action

The art life is more than just an aesthetic choice or a pursuit of validation. It is a life that is built on continuous action, clear priorities, and an unwavering commitment to your craft. It’s about creating for the sake of creation, not for the applause.

If you’re serious about your artistic ambitions, stop talking about it and start doing it. Commit to your work, design your life to support it, and keep pushing toward your goals one step at a time. Art is not something you do when it's convenient or when the mood strikes. It is a lifestyle that requires dedication, effort, and, above all, action.

The art life isn’t something you can talk your way into. It’s something you live every single day. So get out there and be about it.