You know, I'm an artist myself, in designing and comic books, and especially now, in my early career, I'm trying first to get my work appreciated and only after that will I think about my work's financial value.

Chortle.

True, making art is a need that cannot be controlled or measured. Although, deep inside, every artist seeks recognition from some audience, or they're deranged.

This recognition, for the artist, may amount simply to the feeling of being somewhat connected to the external world.
I think some also create what others call art for solely personal needs. Communication, exorcism, whatever.

Heh. In my lifetime so far I have written 7 novels, recorded tons of music in my home studio, have penciled and sketched many pieces of art, and I have destroyed nearly all of it on completion. Once I'm done with the creation process, I am truly done with it. I get satisfaction simply from the process. That is all I want.

True, making art is a need that cannot be controlled or measured. Although, deep inside, every artist seeks recognition from some audience, or they're deranged.

This recognition, for the artist, may amount simply to the feeling of being somewhat connected to the external world.
I think some also create what others call art for solely personal needs. Communication, exorcism, whatever.

Heh. In my lifetime so far I have written 7 novels, recorded tons of music in my home studio, have penciled and sketched many pieces of art, and I have destroyed nearly all of it on completion. Once I'm done with the creation process, I am truly done with it. I get satisfaction simply from the process. That is all I want.

Dude, then you are really fucked up
No, seriously I can perfectly understand that feeling you describe. The creation process is indeed the most important factor. But personally I really like to look at the finished creation and then submit it to others for opinion. But maybe that's only about my personal self confidence issues. The thing is, for me, the creation process is just a way to accomplish something, to spread a message or to tell a story.
Maybe the reason why you get rid of your creations once completed is that you want to make sure you're able to do these things I be satisfied with the result. I've seen many extremely talented artists who never finish a drawing or a painting because they just know they can get there. But they have nothing to prove exept to themselves. I think this is also about self confidence.
Ppinkham, have you ever thought of submitting your novels to any publisher? I'm not saying you should, the most important thing is that you're happy with what you're doing.
I really enjoy this discussion, keep it coming man

Ppinkham, have you ever thought of submitting your novels to any publisher? I'm not saying you should, the most important thing is that you're happy with what you're doing.
I really enjoy this discussion, keep it coming man

I haven't written anything in years, but I have a bud of an idea that is starting to take more and more shape. If I decide to sit down and flesh it out and actually write, I think I may consider publishing this time, mainly because my son wants me to.

Coming out of the blue, i just wanted to share a little bit on, heh, sharing.

I once did a song years ago, that i thought wasn't to par with the other i had done. I thought about scratching it because it wasn't to MY liking.

Ended up being a song i got alot of compliments on.

Wasn't a multi-million selling song, and never will, but if you never try it, you'll never know it.

And destroying art? What if you kept it and showed it to your son's son?

When I used to play in bands I would present my music to the members, and let them do what they whatever they wanted with it. At that point, I was done with it. I got what I needed out of it. If they wanted to change the tempo, the melody, the lyrics, I didn't care.

My art is a personal thing, and how it affects others is something I've never really worried about. I do it because I need to get it out of my system, and that is it. Sometimes just closing my eyes and creating something in my head is enough. I don't feel a need to share it, though. Plus, I am satisfied with the finality of throwing out my work when I finish. I call it exorcising the demons.