Finding Your Voice

Nothing is harder for an artist than when they discover "their voice." One of two things will happen: either people will love what the artist has to say and how they are saying it; or they will fear, even hate it.

Regardless of what you might have been taught in school about America standing for the individual's pursuit of their dream, American culture and the powers-that-be would rather you just shut the hell up and stand on line...be a drone. When was the last time you heard any politician or social leader on TV actually say, "Yes, we want you to do whatever you really want to do. Go out there, be your own person!" It's more likely you'll here, "Don't rock the boat." I'm not saying their aren't politicians and social leaders who aren't saying "Be your own person! Make your own personal statement!" I'm only saying you don't see them on CNN and certainly not on FOX News. If you do happen to see one, well, it's not going to be a very favorable report.

It's very discouraging for any artist who discovers their path to have road bumps or even detour signs appear along that pathway. No one can withstand pressure for long. It's why most artists become fall back on graphic design or some other can out of outlet for their creativity which can best serve corporate America.

In my experience, the only way to have your voice protected against obstacles is, and I know it sounds a little corny, honesty...to one's self. There is nothing else that can better protect the artist's unique voice than to simply put themselves out there with full disclosure. The truth is that commitment to one's art or one's voice is not enough, an artist needs conviction. In other words, you need to be so sworn to have your voice heard that you are indistinguishable from the message. You have to be prepared to take blows and be wounded in any fight...and putting a vision out there, speaking with a voice never before heard will result in fights.

I'd like to say it's easy, but it's not. It's taken me more than 10 years to have my particular voice finally find people who jive with it. But you have to keep at it! Finding your voice will be a mixed bag at best, and every artist will have bouts of laryngitis over the course of their work. But you have to keep at it. The only way to change the status quo is to not buy into it. It's as simple as that.