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Complexity of the Artist’s Journey

by Mario A. Campanaro

Complexity of the Artist’s Journey

by Mario A. Campanaro

It is not the "easy" that makes the artist. It is not the "easy" that makes the difference. It is the complexity. It is all the "stuff" that we often want to shy away from, but that is what forms the necessary foundation of our work.

Sometimes, it’s those very things—the deep, messy, dark, and even shattered truths that lie hidden within—that can make us feel broken. These are the raw, beautifully human elements we often resist, yet they are undeniable truths that exist within all of us. It is precisely this "stuff" that is essential for our creative breakthrough.

You, as an artist, are necessary. You are the answer. Technique means nothing without you—ALL of you, from the depths of your soul. Although your personal pain may not mirror the character's, it will always serve as a reference point, if it is safe and helpful to do so, helping to connect your lived experience with the character’s journey. This willingness to live deeply, to embrace the givens of the work with honesty, and to do so publicly is what makes your work worthy of being witnessed.

It is in these moments that the work transcends mere "play." It becomes something that carries artistic and social responsibility, something that serves a greater purpose. It is in these moments that the work starts to shift the world around you.

The paradox of this journey is that, to make that shift, you must still be willing to play—intentionally and with purpose. You must seek the truth within the most uncomfortable circumstances, while fulfilling your artistic and social responsibilities, and sharing your heart and soul.

However, the creative process is not always easy. At times, you may need to walk through your very own Hades to reach your own Utopia. You will face hardship, and you may find yourself struggling or suffering. But if you continue to persevere, if you keep believing in what you're doing, and refuse to give up, you will find that the hardship pays off and brings something profoundly fulfilling into your life.

There may be times when you want to cry because it hurts so much, and then you may want to laugh until you cry, because you made it through. Once you emerge from the fire, you will see all the beauty hidden within the ashes.

We all have our own stories of struggle, but we also all have the potential for victory. Stay on the creative path. Never give up, even when you feel you must struggle. Discover what else lies within you, because you are everything. It’s all there, waiting to be discovered, explored, and tapped into. Find yourself in it. Meet yourself there. Honor yourself there.