About Art of Purpose

One of the things I've noticed over the years is that what you see on the news, especially local news, is more often than not negative in its influence. For some reason it's the negative that sells, that grabs attention. Things that incite fear, worry, doubt, or anger. I truly believe these influences affect us as individuals, as communities and so forth. We begin to look for the bad rather than the good in life.

In addition to these influences are the other messages that dominate the media, usually encouraging self-indulgence in some form or another. We compare our selves to other people and worry about how we look and how much stuff we have. These influences would isolate us as individuals.

These are not things the world needs more of.

And so my desire became to spread positive messages, to give positive examples that have the power to inspire and encourage others to follow them. As my knowledge and understanding of principles have grown, it has become apparent that all good seems to lead back to one primary principle:

Love.

This is what is important, and this is what's at the center of anyone who lives their life looking for ways to serve others, as well as those who accept their service (in other words, love does beget love). Love and selfless service are what bring happiness and substance to our lives.

So this is the point of Art of Purpose: to encourage others to look outside of themselves for ways to bless the lives of others, specifically using their unique talents and abilities. It is a win-win when we do something we love to serve others through our talents and passions.

Often we think that giving means money or stuff, but money is common, individuals are unique. I would wager that more lives are enriched through the giving of self-- of time, effort and talent. It helps build new relationships and strengthen existing ones. It allows us to be happier and more satisfied. For people have real intrinsic value-- money does not. (That's not to dismiss immediate material needs that might occur, but rather to consider that there is more that can be done in every day life beyond that.)

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The more people serve, the better of a place the world will become. Whenever we see someone else do this, we are given permission to do the same. Hearts can be touched and desire to reach out to others grows. The more positive voices, examples and influences there are, the more likely individuals will be to follow them.

Thus it is through sharing and amplifying the examples of others that I hope to spread inspiration. The artists I've featured here at the launch of Art of Purpose are just a few that have inspired me personally, who have deepened my desire to look for ways to serve others using talents I already have. I've no doubt there are countless more-- they only need to be discovered and their examples shared. Hopefully there are others who will help me do this. One of the first things I recognized when I started this project was that "It's not about me." It's not even about the few examples and artists I've shared on this site so far.

As an artist, I am mindful of the role we play in the world: we communicate, be it through visual art, music, or other forms of media, and we have the opportunity to contribute to making the world a better place not only through direct service but through the messages we convey in our art. I hope more artists will be mindful of this as well, that what we do does affect those who come in contact with it, and that art itself can serve a greater purpose than to simply be a means to make a living.