The Fulfillment of Art (and why I need less)

I will talk about how art makes me feel and why it is fulfilling to me, but I want to start by telling how art does NOT make me feel…

One of the interesting things  I noticed after I started painting is a relatively much lesser need to acquire "stuff" (like clothes I don't necessarily need, gadgets, cosmetics) or to even take fancy vacations to "get away".  When I paint I am just where I need to be, and realize I have just what I need to have.

It took me a while (over a year) to notice the pattern, but once I did I realized the simple explanation. I was just so pulled into this passion and experienced inner fulfillment that I didn't need to buy things just to make me feel good. Keyword here is "just to make me feel good".

Don't get me wrong, I still love to wear nice things, make my home look beautiful, traveling, and have good experiences outside.  But I no longer acquire or need these for a "quick motivational boost" as I often did in the past (unaware of it).   So in a way, a more minimalistic mindset has emerged for me, and I am really loving this experience.  I will try to reflect more on this in future posts,  to share some personal observations I have about inner fulfillment and why many do what they do in fast paced, busy,  and unfulfilled lives these days (I am not saying fast paced or busy means unfulfilling as it can truly be awesome, if lived by ones core values, but I am reflecting on fast paced lives that at the same time happen to be unfulfilling). So more to come on that later…

So what does art make me feel? Very simple really, as I'm sure many artists would relate;

There are two main things,

The first one is the joy of creating something out of passion and desire, where

• The creation process itself is almost meditative and makes me live in the moment and get up with excitement in the morning

• Each painting is like a little adventure, where I don't know where it will take me

• The excitement when I see the finished piece and how it speaks to me and inspires me

• The positive outlook it brings into my life because I know I can always paint and keep mastering it

The second one is the joy of sharing the art and being able to create positive feelings in the observer, where

• The ability to express myself and my values through an art medium is so rewarding as it allows to reach many people that are like minded or appreciate similar life values,

• Seeing the art make a little difference in someone's day or life, and how it makes them feel positive or inspired.

I can make the list very long, but these are few key things that come to mind :))

How does art make you feel, whether you're an artist or an art admirer ? Or what are some other passions you're pursing that create similar feelings? Share below.

Photo: the making of “Your Truth”

Previous Comments & Answers on this post from my old WordPress site:

• Bindi Graham
  April 29, 2018 at 6:13 am
  
  Beautiful and inspirational words Deniz.
  It’s fascinating to me how ‘art’ affects the lives of others.
  Much love, Bindi

  • Deniz Altug
    April 29, 2018 at 1:25 pm
    
    Hi Bindi, thanks a lot for the feedback! It is truly beautiful how it can affect and inspire the one who creates the art and those who view it :))
    
    

• Rose Mallia
  February 27, 2019 at 6:29 pm
  
  Thank you again for such insightful observations of your creative process which I 100% resonate with right now. I’m just starting out and can’t believe some of the little works I’ve been churning out. I studied art for a long time in its historical and aesthetic context as well as working in an office as I am still now. But little steps and inspiration like yours is motivating me to continue with my great passion. I’m finding it hard to sleep at night because I’m so excited about what I can create.
  

  • Deniz Altug
    March 11, 2019 at 8:48 pm 
    
    Oh…I’m so grateful that I’m able to provide inspiration to you Rose and so glad you relate to the feelings I shared! Yes it’s all about the little progressive steps. And I can so relate to the “finding it hard to sleep at night comment” – these are the little clues in our life that nudge us to what we should be doing 

    It has been the same with me – I still have many days where this still happens (too excited to sleep). In addition, I never used an alarm clock since I’m a full time artist but yet I wake up so much earlier than in the past just with excitement for the day. Keep creating and the beauty of life will just unfold more and more for you each day. Thanks for sharing your comments!