The Purpose Beyond the Art

I remember a time, at a very early age, thinking, “When I grow up, I want to be a veterinarian.” It made sense. I loved animals, and I wanted to help them. But watching my first dog get hit by a car and die in front of me changed everything. The pain of that moment was a wound I couldn’t bear to face again. I realized then that my love for animals couldn’t withstand the heartbreak of seeing them die. But drawing them? I discovered that art gave me the power to make them live forever.

Last month, I tried to think back to that exact moment when I knew I was meant to be an artist. Creativity was embedded in everything I did as a child. Growing up in the country, my drawings, poems, and photos became a way of sharing my curiosity about the world. I finger-painted, built Lincoln Log structures, and wrote songs.

Creativity was my first language. It was the only way I knew how to translate emotions I couldn’t yet articulate. I watched my mom sew, and my dad build things. Creating wasn’t just a process, it was magical.

Art has always been my therapy. It’s where I pour the thoughts and fears I’d otherwise bottle up inside. But this deep connection is also why sharing my work is so difficult. Because my art is a personal extension of who I am, putting it out there feels raw. I fear judgment, not because of the technique, but because the work contains parts of me. To have someone dislike the work feels like a direct rejection of my soul.

I don’t make art for attention. In fact, as an “introverted extrovert,” I often find the exposure embarrassing. I have never been afraid to create, but the fear of external judgment has often held me back in life, stealing my courage to be discovered. At its core, my greatest struggle isn’t with the art itself, it’s with the insecurity of who I am as a person.

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What happens when the process of creativity no longer feeds the soul? There are times when I have focused too long on the money and buried myself in the business. When I stay in that space, I lose my spark. Mixing personal exploration with the important demands of a client is a slippery, difficult balance that can easily turn your passion into just another widget.

This is why PLAY is a requirement, not a luxury. It isn’t a trophy for a job well done. It’s the breathing room your soul needs to survive. PLAY offers a sanctuary from the pressure of the outside world, allowing you to refuel and see beyond the constraints of a project.

While others take vacations to switch off their brains, an artist’s vacation should be a move toward curiosity. That is the space where your most authentic work emerges. unpolished, unexpected, and accidental. PLAY gives you permission to color outside the lines, to ignore perfection, and to take risks.

Despite my insecurities, I chose creativity as a career. Photography came first because it felt safe. It was a business that could support me while I explored deeper passions. I started my Substack and YouTube not for validation, but to share this vulnerability.

The purpose beyond the art is the realization that my story can help others keep their own stories alive. I’ve seen too many talented artists give up because they believed art wasn’t a viable path. We have to move beyond that mindset.

The world needs our art because art is the fundamental language we use to process life. It fosters empathy, compassion, joy, and connection. When we reclaim our creativity, we aren’t just making stuff, we are healing ourselves and the world around us.

For me, there was never one specific moment I became an artist. I was born one, and I simply chose not to abandon it. If you feel a quiet sense that you are meant for more, it’s not too late to listen. You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow, but you can give yourself permission to create. Tell your story and share your art. Take a small, courageous step toward the thing that brings you joy.

Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

I hope this encourages you to start living your truth. The purpose of art is the piece you create, but the purpose beyond the art is the person you become while making it.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you struggling to find purpose through your art? Please leave a comment, and let’s talk about it.

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If you're interested in reading more about my work. Are you looking for other ways to boost your own creativity? Be sure to check out these recent stories on my other platforms.