Who do you create for?
Is it for your own passion?
Self-worth?
Are you trying to prove it to yourself or to someone else?
More to the point…are you trying to create for a living?
It’s easy to be an armchair idealist.
When was the last time you supported anything independent?
That’s not an accusation, it’s a simple question.
Truly independent.
Someone or something that doesn’t have backing, that was made to create it, out of pocket…at the artist’s own detriment and risk…not small, independent.
When someone gets a contract or sponsorship it’s easy to say that they sold out or joined the dark side.
It’s engrained in our culture.
It is just as wrong as the illusion of overnight success.
The thing is, unless you are old-money wealthy, independent work is unsustainable.
It will chew you up, spit you out, and defecate on your unmarked grave.
That’s how unforgiving it is.
Support it.
Or don’t.
But understand that when you see someone get a break, and you call them a sellout…it’s really just jealousy.
Because the grind that is done in darkness, should be celebrated in the light.
Success doesn’t come without setbacks.
It comes with its own compliment of problems.
Raise a glass and give a nod.
Holding the success of others up doesn’t hold you back.