The Difference Between an Artist and a Non-Artist

Earlier this week I met with a successful businessman. He’s built a virtual empire and I’m sure he’s earned enough money to live comfortably for a very long time.

The meeting was beneficial for both of us but it was interesting how I felt after meeting with him, and I found a few questions swirling around in my mind:

  • Why did that meeting feel so hurried?
  • What is the difference between him and me?
  • How do artists fit into a business culture? 

I came to a conclusion that was much bigger than a silly little business meeting…

Artists take time to make things beautiful. (Tweet that)

Although hugely successful, it didn’t seem like the businessman made time for beauty or to make things beautiful. But that’s my job. That’s our job as creatives. We are tasked with the great pleasure of creating things that are beautiful, that others might see. And if we take the time to make things beautiful, others will see the beauty too.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt the taffy-like life of an artist: collecting ingredients, blending and heating, cooling and stretching, pulling and lengthening, cutting and sharing. That all takes time.

Here’s just a portion of it…

Ah yes, the life of an artist as compared to candy-making. Maybe that’s why I love candy so much.

How do you make time for beauty?

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Author: Andrew Zahn

I'm a son, husband, dad, business owner, actor and good sleeper/eater. On this blog, I pave a highway for creative growth by providing food, water, and shelter for those wishing to live, work, and play with creative zest.

10 thoughts on “The Difference Between an Artist and a Non-Artist”

  1. I try to recognize it around me, spend as much time outside as possible (mostly ip when it isn’t freezing butt cold outside), and make sure I take time off from all my work just to be.

  2. A stack of creative type magazines and a chai latte at Barnes and Noble is a beauty indulgence and stokes my creativity, especially when I have my other creative half to share it with and bounce ideas off of.

  3. I come home to it every day—my family. I know that sounds pretty saccarine but it is true. They are the ones that feed and inspire me.

  4. This is so good. I aim to be an artist in the business world creating things that matter. Stuff like this is always a great reminder to refocus and make things well.

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