Creative expression is not what you think.
It's not for the likes or the accolades or the social influence or big fancy mansion on the cover of Architectural Digest.
Creative expression defies explanation in almost every situation.
Can anyone really explain RUSH's extraordinary catalog?
As a working Artist, or creative entrepreneur, or whatever title is en vogue at the time of you reading this post, I have created for myself first, audience second, or even a distant afterthought (if I choose to share what I make).
This practice is counterintuitive to the popular advice to define your ideal avatar BEFORE making-launching-building anything.
I have tried that approach and failed miserably every time.
So I don't do that anymore.
And things are working out just fine.
My first audience is myself whenever I create anything.
Just as...
All poetry is for the poet first.
Even if the poet is writing to someone or about something, the work is for the poet before anyone else.
The same can be said about music, art, choreography, business.
The questions many creatives are asking (both consciously and unconsciously) when making something new -- a story, a song, a painting, a widget --
What’s missing from my life?
What hurts really bad?
And then they go create as a way of answering these questions.
Not What You Think
Creative expression in any medium is a form of problem solving for the creator.
Chances are usually pretty favorable that a certain percentage of others are facing similar problems that the creator’s art can help them solve.
Often a creator's audience didn't realize they needed or wanted what the artist made until they experience it.
Then they can't get enough.
That's the sweet spot for anyone who makes art.
People who now can't get enough of what you create.
You must create for yourself first.
Then run experiments to see what, if anything, resonates.
Then go make more art.
