Passion in the Arts

Hello, coffee lovers and avid readers! Welcome to Olive’s Corner at Olive’s Café, where you get insight on thoughts of life.

Here’s my opinion on being passionate in the arts: it’s unbelievably amazing to see people show their passion in whatever they do.

When I was younger, I used to dance all the time, from Jennifer Lopez to Missy Elliott, and even my family knew that I wanted to be a dancer when I grow up. However, after one conversation, I decided to change what I wanted to do, and the next best thing that I found was writing. I started with writing fan fiction after reading a lot of them and then I chose to create my own stories. As I got older, I’ve learned to incorporate my drawing skills with my writing and give you what you see in my blog. I still dance to this day, but I dance more for exercise and to burn any energy I have left in my body. The other thing that I take with me everywhere I go, whether I am going to my day job or writing in my room, is music. I always think about music, talk about music, and breathe music. It’s a love language for me and I can’t have a conversation without bringing music up. If I had a chance to go back, I’d go to school to study music because of how magical it is for me, or at least minored in music while I still studied English (Literature). I would talk about how I should have done so, but what I can do now with music is to create playlists based on what I’m writing. So, it all works out in the end: I’m in the right field for myself and I wouldn’t have to make any more changes as I am happy with my current passion.

What brought me to talk about this is that when I see people talk about what they do in the arts, they’re passionate about it in the conversations. If I can see their faces when I bring up their art, I bet that they would glow and shine bright. I constantly see these conversations on social media, whether it’s about music, painting, writing, film, or any other art medium, and they have so much to say that it makes me want to take notes and learn from them. I can learn their stories when they share where their passion comes from and it’s just as fascinating. From what’s written in social media and how people speak about their passion for the art field they’re in, they speak with conviction, as if their life depended on it. Because of this, it made me wonder about my own decision of being an artist. Of course, there is always concern when it comes to the field that we’re passionate about, but when our passion and dedication are bigger than our concerns, we keep working and make our dreams come true.

I also find it intriguing that the passion in the art medium of our choice comes from our hobbies. We commit a small amount of our time into our hobbies as they spark joy within us when we work on them. Then, when that joy grows, we turn it into a side gig, part-time if you will, to earn a little more income outside of our day jobs (or night jobs for other careers). After that, it just progresses when we see that income grow and we turn that side gig into a full-time job, or even our lifestyle as we surround ourselves with what we love to do. I see it all the time, whether on social media or in real life, and I can see how much people love what they do when they demonstrate their skills, and it grows with them as well as for them. Honestly, it’s what I want for myself; to grow my art into something that I can live with and I’m currently surrounding myself in it. However, I can’t help with the growing concerns that keep surfacing.

One of the common concerns that I find with people who don’t know what to do in the future is when and where to start working on their art, and my number one answer is to find ourselves in what we enjoy doing in our spare time. When people say they have nothing, then I would tell them to try anything new, even research new activities and see where it takes them. When they ask how they will find the passion in their activities, I tell them to explore a little more, see why it makes them happy and how much they talk about their activities. Now, the biggest concern that we all have is money: how do we make money from our passion? From what I saw is that people draw attention with their skills using social media, and then afterwards make commission from them. Some people have turned their hobbies to goods and services, and it worked out for them. Truthfully, I’d say reach out to people who are making money from their art and see where that takes you. I believe they’re the best people to talk to.

Whether as a hobby or a lifestyle, I believe people should be allowed to do what they’re passionate about, whether it is in the music, film, writing, painting, or even photography. No one should have to put their dreams and passion to the side just so they can survive. The obstacles and concerns shouldn’t stop us from going after what we want, and we definitely shouldn’t have to listen to people who attempt to talk us out of what we want. People have reached their own success and happiness with their passion, and we should be the same way. If I were asked if I ever regret becoming an artist, I would deliberately tell them I don’t regret it because it’s what brings me joy and I can’t stop being surrounded in it. Even writing has allowed me to still dance from time to time.

Remember, whatever you’re passionate about, keep at it. You may never know where it may take you. Just as long as you’re doing it to give yourself happiness and it doesn’t hurt any living thing.

Thank you for tuning in on Olive’s Corner at Olive’s Café!