How do you define success? (confessions of an art kid)

How do you define success? It is amazing how many people who engage an artist in conversation about their career deem it fitting to mention "well you know you will never be famous and you'll NEVER make a million dollars" All I want to say is- oh really!? well neither will you. But I generally choke down any number of snide remarks and politley listen while they warn me against all the woes and terrors that apparently befall all artistic people. First of all I would like to state that every single kid at art school (unless they have come here under severely false pretenses) is VERY clear of the inherent state of out existence once we graduate. They don't call it a Bachelor of Fuck All for nothing. Yet we are all still here...wonder why that is? Perhaps it is because supposed financial security and a white pickett fence are not exactly high on our list of priorites. I know it sounds cliche to say it (and you have heard it a million times before) but artists don't just want a career, they don't want to be the round peg in the round hole. They want to love what they do. They want to create their very own niche to inhibit far far away from the strict rules most of society feels bound to. So what exactly does it mean to me to be successful? Success to me if defined by pushing boundaries. If I haven't upset anyone, I'm probably not trying hard enough. This isn't to say that I am looking to make enemies, but there are not enough people out there willing to challenge the thoughts and habits of the mainstream. Success comes in the moments I am able to get you to look at life and see it (even if only for a moment) in a new way; to see that perhaps your lot in life is not as bad as you thought- and to make you come to grips with the fact that you are far more powerful than you realize. Successful relationships mean never having to say I love you. To me- love is a verb. It has always been my intention for my actions to make clear how I feel. Many of the best relationships I have are those in which I can spend many silent hours in tandum, understanding, communicating through something deeper than words. Succes in my artistic practice is achieved  when I am having fun. This is not always an easy challenge. Genuinly engaging your mind and body in enjoyable activities means hacving a keen sensitivity of self awareness and the fluctuating needs of your evolving mind and heart. Having fun is what made me start painting my face eight years ago, which made me into an art kid, which led me to ACAD, which inspired me to create the Rainbow Connection which is beneficial to me and my community. Success in life is how many strangers I can get to smile at me. To momentarily lock eyes and break down the invisible walls that seperate their routine lives from my sporadic one. Success is how many dance floors I enter first and leave last. Success is not being afraid to admit I have made mistakes. Success is being able to define my own objectives and goals and put my entire being into making them come true. A lot of people look at me with a sad smile and a sigh- you will never make a million dollars. Well baby- that's not what I need. All I need is to know that no matter where I am going in life I will never be discouraged let down or limited by the numbers in my bank account.

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