Do artists serve themselves? Or others?

[Jim Kent +]

Hi all,

Anyways, I'm an artist. I really like making stuff, especially music. I've been thinking about whether the artist serves him/herself, or others. I suppose it depends on the artist? I'm really not sure. I've always struggled a little bit with sitting down and making stuff in a disciplined way. I usually have flurries of activity and then it dies down for a while and I get sedentary.

Anyways, I'd like to hear other's thoughts on this. I do feel more of an inclination towards service to others. It does feel like the path I'm walking on. I just..... want to be able to make my art too yknow.... it makes me happy...

This might seem like a silly question to some.... but I'm asking it anyway....

Thanks all

Greetings silly, and welcome to the forum!

I'm an artist and like you, that's mostly about making music.

I consider making music one of the most STO activities I do these days, yes it can be profoundly satisfying and even cathartic, as do many STO activities.

Like many if not most activities, making music does indeed involve a certain amount of self-service, it's a mix. 

Let's put it this way, if you make a tune with the only intention of making money and fame for oneself without any artistic ethics, then this could well be much more of an STS orientated activity. 

But if you make music with the intention of lifting the listener up in whatever way through genuine heart-felt artistic offerings, then for me, this is easily identified as a predominantly STO activity.

As with anything in life, regarding one's polarity, it is more about WHY you do what you do, and less about WHAT you do.  

L & L

Jim