I have recently experienced a moment when someone asked me “Why do you care so much? After all, it is only another art project for your collection.” I have to say, it is a little heartbreaking when someone thinks of your work as just another project. They are not “just another”. Each holds something special. They are my love, my livelihood, my since of belonging….me.

Artwork has never and will never be “just another art project”. It is so much greater than that. With each artwork that you run across, a little more is revealed about the artist. Every works of art holds a little part of an artist’s heart and soul. It gives you the inside view of how the artist views the world; what makes the artist click. They are a way that the artist can tell their story for the world to hear.

Works of art do not create themselves. Artists have to go through a lot when they make a creation. They experience a series of thoughts, planning, and sketching. Some work becomes pieces of artistic masterpieces living to succeed. Some of the others are not as fortunate: facing being set-aside on a shelf waiting for their chance of discovery. There are hours, days, and weeks that go into artistic creations. When someone tells an artist “it is just another art project”, it hurts. It is the same as telling them that their work doesn’t matter or that they are in the way. It makes them wonder whether they are even good enough.

Go ahead. Ask an artist about their painting, drawing, or sculpture. Ask them why they create artwork. More than not, there is an artist out there that would love to tell their side of the story. Go ahead, I dare you.