Do Artists Plead the Fifth?

There’s a question that has always hovered over the artistic and creative space. Are these people truly doing this for the love of the game, or for the reward and the fame?

I think a lot of people try to convince themselves it's the former. Ideally, that’s what it should always be, right? It tracks better and produces a feel good story, but in reality, human behavior is often geared toward the latter. 

That said, the middle ground is likely where most creatives fall. They’re trying to tell themselves that the spark they have is enough, yet deep down, they’re hoping that someone will see and appreciate what they made. After all, what’s art if there’s no one to share it with?

These struggles are nothing new. History has a way of being the great equalizer, showing us countless examples of genius that didn’t receive the applause, the recognition, or the fortune they truly deserved. It’s strange to think that some of the world's great artists who are celebrated today lived and completed their work in the shadows.

Emily Dickinson wrote nearly two thousand poems, hidden safely in her desk at her family home. It was only after her death at the age of 55 that her sister discovered them and they finally saw the light of day. 

Johann Sebastian Bach went to his grave a highly respected musician, known but not revered. He kept to the church and didn’t have a huge public persona. It wasn’t until long after he was gone that his full catalog of work began to be unearthed and given its proper due.

This next one is somewhat disputed, but fits the arc here: in his lifetime Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting. You know, the guy who cut off his ear. Wait, you don’t think that had something to do with it, do you? 

The point is, these weren’t your ordinary artists. Their talent was next level. They were great. I mean, there is a reason we’re talking about them centuries later. Still, in their time, for various reasons, they never achieved the acclaim that most would expect.

And even so, the work didn’t stop. 

Their passion had to override the voice in their head, probably saying, “why are you doing this?” That their pieces deserved a bigger audience, more recognition.  For some this may kill the process, the desire to keep going. The thought has to enter the mind at the very least. 

So, I pose the same question. If you are an artist out there, where do you stand?

I know it can be a tricky one to answer. Sure, you could try to keep up appearances and say what you think the people want to hear. Then again, there’s a reason they say honesty is the best policy, even if it’s just with yourself. 

Me, I have no problem saying where I stand. Hell, I’ll even wear it like a campaign slogan if I have to. In fact, I'll call up the biggest celebrity I know and tell them directly. Not to brag, but his name rhymes with Ron Booze. Yes, it’s Tom Cruise. Don’t ask me how. Don’t ask me why. I guess you could say I’m connected. 

Anyway, I’m calling up Tom, and I’m going to lay it all out for him – after we get past a few pleasantries, of course. Always be courteous.  Not just with celebrities. 

I give him the usual lines. How's it going, Tom? Yeah, it really has been a long time. Maybe I even joke (or plead) that he should take an extended break from all the Mission Impossible stuff. 

Before you know it, we’re gabbing like old pals. And that’s when I decide it’s time to hit him with it. Really, what I’m doing is channeling it. I find the perfect moment, and at the top of my lungs I shout:

“Show me the money!” 

There it is. There’s my stance, the one my agent says I should stick to. If it worked for Rod Tidwell maybe it will work for me.