Fighting Cynicism

I had a busy day today but still got some art in. This above piece feels to me like hiding from the rest of the world, as I often do and watching from a safe place. While the world burns or chaos ensues, I'm often left watching and feeling helpless. Lately, I know many of us have felt helpless.

It's hard not to let cynicism set in. It would be quite easy to let it in, surrender to it and let it wash over you. Part of me wants to. For a month or so that was how I felt. Now, I mostly feel numb. I'm not sure how to help the world. I mean, many years ago I was young and strong and healthy. Now I'm in my 50s, I'm fat, I'm mentally ill and have no cardio. So, I'm starting small, with art and this blog. Hoping beyond hope that it reaches someone and someone finds it helpful and useful. Maybe it will, maybe I'm just talking to myself, but I like to think this is reaching someone who needs it.

One thing as a creator, I can't not create. Whether its art, or a blog or a little project at home, I have to do something. So, this is what I do, this is my little voice shouting into the void and hoping someone hears and is better off for it.

Early on someone told me art can change the world and I wasn't sure how. My paintings are weird and strange and not sure how just posting art online could help anything. But then I came up with this blog idea and decided it needed words with it. It needed some kind of context to give it meaning.

So I guess my challenge for anyone reading this, find your thing. Whatever it is that amplifies your voice. Whether its music, or art or writing or even teaching something to others. Whatever that THING of yours is, find it and use it. We don't all have to be marching in the streets and carrying signs. Find that thing you can do, and do it well and do it often.

I just saw someone post on Facebook (Yes, I crept back onto there for a bit) and they said "Never stop creating" and that is the best thing we can do. Not just for our own wellbeing but for those around us. Maybe this is a bunch of flowery words and I'm not saying don't do direct action. If that is your calling and you have the ability then by all means, take up the fight and let them have it. But a lot of us don't have that option. I have a lot of friends who are disabled, who can't go march or do civil disobedience or whatever. So this is where I am at. I have big plans for this blog and my art and hope to see it through.

When the year started, my resolution was to take my art to the next level. I thought that would be through traditional means like sales and art shows. But I have never been a normal or traditional guy. I found this blog and I'm off and typing away. I ask all of you in joining in this revolution of creation, one step at a time.