Art - is it your hobby?

What do you think of when I use the word "hobby" in connection with art?

Do you think of your art as a hobby, as a profession, as part of your personal identity, something else, or a combination of all of these choices?

Think of other hobbies that you have in your life. How are they different from your creative pursuits? How are they the same?

I'm working on the article, "AND I'm an artist - art as a hobby" for an upcoming edition of the Everyday Artist newsletter.

Please share your thoughts with me and each other by filling in your comments below.

Comments

[A.V.Ramani]

Dear Linda,
Your course on the 7 blocks to creativity, which you sent me, was most interesting.

It is not possible to have anything creative as a hobby. Even what may be considered as a passive activity like listening to music becomes meaningful only when you sink your whole being into it.

You wrote,"Do you think of your art as a hobby, as a profession, as part of your personal identity, something else, or a combination of all of these choices?"

It is not only all of these, but in a sense it is you yourself. If it were not so, it will not be woth pursuing.

For a properly integrated person there can be no hobbies; only other dimensions of the person.

[Elaine Heys]

Art could never be my hobby. To me the definition of 'hobby' is something you do in your spare time to keep from being bored. I never have time for that.

Art is my life. It's my identity, it's the way I'm put together on the inside.

I may not do something artistic or creative every day, but I'm always noticing colour, or the way something looks, or the emotion it evokes in me. These things I see and feel change me and affect me in so many ways that sooner or later I have to do something creative to let it out.

That's just the way I am.

Elaine

[Steve Barrish]

Art (music) to me is a passion. It affects every minute of my life. I think about it at home, at work, at class, even on the toilet. I feel gifted, like all artists should. Therefore, if I consider art as just a hobby, I feel I am doing myself an injustice and neglecting something that I love so much. I will be graduating college soon, and I should figure out what to do with my life. The closer I am to graudation, the more art is seeming like it is going to just be a hobby (but still a passion). Perhaps it is time for me to take full control and put as much effort as I can into establishing myself as an artist. It is probably the biggest dilemma in my life right now, and I don't know what the outcome will be. That's life, I guess.

[Doug Smith]

I've always been surprised that we all start out as artists -- think about the wonderful pictures and stories that children produce -- and slowly fade from feeling artistic.

Keeping art as a hobby is not only good sense, it's good for you. For years, even when I wasn't sure of my "artistic connection" I continued to make collages and each time I would enter that creative "flow" know for sure that whether it's a hobby, a calling, or a professional or all -- art is not only necessary, it's bliss in pure form.

[Brian]

Isn't a hobby something that you do in your spare time to stave off boredom? Something that is voluntary, that you can either take or leave?

I sometimes wish my art were just like that so I wouldn't be such a slave to it lol Problem is, it's more like a compulsion. Something my brain just does. There are days when I wish my brain had made me do something more profitable, but here I am, constantly generating ideas and making art.

Anyone else have this problem?

[Sasha]

Hello!
My name is Sasha, I am from Ukraine.
First of all,I think this theme is very important. Art is around us, it is everywhere: from the mother-nature to advertisment on TV etc. We see all colors of life and sometimes try to show our own feelings with the help of art.
I thought about what art is for me, and I know: this is a hobby which helps me to live, and some of my pictures are here: http://www.art-hobby.han.ks.ua
I would be glad if I can share my thoughts about this matter more and to get in touch with other amateur artists