Chapter 16 | Knowing

Chapter 16 | Knowing

In the last chapters you may have noticed a theme. We’ve moved from ‘Seeing’ to ‘Feeling’ and now onto ‘Knowing’.

It is a progression, which can lead from something just ok to something fantastic. I know that I’ve already talked about some of the elements needed to transition to greatness (even more on that in the next Chapter | Good is the Enemy of Great!.)

‘Knowing’ is one of those transition points. What is meant by that isn’t ones personal ego about ‘knowing’ how ‘great’ they personally believe they are – in this case it is knowing based upon reality which is shown by people spending their very hard earn money on a piece of ones art.

You should know this because you should know that a dollar is truly hard earned and you should be grateful for those that trade their hard work for something you created and they hopefully love. I know that I am exceptionally grateful for all those that have collected my work(s) over these many years. As it has afforded me an unbelievable journey unlike any I could have ever imagined.

So how does one truly know if their work is worthy of ‘knowing’?

This is something which can be very difficult to determine. However there are a number of things which can help determine it, based on the ‘not’ of determination. What?! (probably the thought that just came to your mind, eh?)

What I mean to say is sales to family, or friends, or your office space, or co-workers, etc. etc. do not count. That doesn’t really give anyone a real sense of ‘knowing’, it only brings on more doubt…because did they do it for the love of the art or for their love of ‘me’? Sometimes it might not matter to you because you need the capital to progress the dream. Just be honest with yourself or you could be headed over an emotional cliff, which is a far cry from where you most likely want to be.

Somewhere along the way you will find ‘it’. That ‘it’ can define your vision, passion, purity toward your vision and become the straight and narrow path you will happily follow because it brings you joy and as importantly (because we live in a world where bills need to be paid) it brings joy to others and they are happy to pay for the work. They pay because every fiber in their being tells them it’s alright to fall in love with something so joyous and it’s even more ok to reward the artist for their creation of that joy. 

When you get to that point, that is when you know.

Because Knowing is Everything.

PS | Admittedly that was all a bit deep & hopefully profound.