Making pretty things to look at is what content creators do, but making people look at things in a new way is what artists do, that is their job. Whatever you do, make sure it moves people, make sure it stirs the soul somehow, make it have meaning. That’s art. But what i have learnt is that when you are on the right track, and making something with soul, from your soul, this is true art. And it’s quite funny, what you do and create is either completely loved by whoever your (tiny) audience might be, or it’s absolutely hated by the masses. An artist creates regardless, and creates within that divide.
This image stands out for me. I had just started in a completely new area. A vast area. A harsh area. I was told there would only be birds right on the tops, which is not completely untrue, but there are sprinklings of Greywing Francolin scattered all around like fine dustings. And the dogs had found this covey here, in this beautiful setting. Amongst all the brilliant contrasting colours and shades that the slopes were painted in. Looking up again, I saw the sun casting a kind of halo of sunlight and I knew that all would be fine. Sometimes you need a sign. I looked around whilst they were holding the birds, as I said, the area was new to me and now I know it better than the back of my hand, but in that moment it all seemed a bit surreal, daunting and quite breathtaking.
Nothing good ever came easy, and all the good, all the beautiful things in life are clothed in some sort of pain. Especially decent art. I learnt as I got more experienced with this life that, adding too many layers covers up the essence of our art. You have to allow it, whatever your art is, to stand in its simplicity. Dressing it up in layers is not good for any art. But something that I have really grasped and held onto of late is that Life is Soul. You have to find your Soul, and when you do, and if you do, you’ll find your Life.
Always chasing the horizon.
Pictured: Bulton flanked by his two daughters and litter mates, left Aera and to the right, Alba of Ourano.