"Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact. It can affect change. It can not only move us, it makes us move!” the— Toni Morrison

Few words capture the magic of art better. Art does not merely adorn life; it animates it. It can stir a dormant emotion, challenge a long-held belief, heal a wounded heart or inspire us to act. The wonderfully expansive umbrella of “Art” encompasses  myriad forms. Different in expression, they are manifestations of the same human impulse which is the need to create, express and communicate.

From the haunting strains of music and expressive movements of dance to the written word, the painted canvas and the theatre stage, art has always possessed the extraordinary power to touch both the individual and society.

Every art form appears to be flourishing in today’s digital age. Unprecedented accessibility has transformed the creative landscape into a vibrant breeding ground for talent. People of every age and socioeconomic status are experimenting with their creative instincts. A smartphone can become a camera; a living room, a stage; a laptop, a publishing house; and a social-media account, a gallery.

The pandemic, despite its enormous trauma and disruption, unexpectedly gave many people something they had rarely possessed before—the time to pause and look inward. Confined to their homes, some discovered the painter within them, others the poet, singer, storyteller, actor or chef. What began as a diversion for many became a passion; for some, even a profession.

The emergence of OTT platforms has further democratised entertainment.The screen is no longer the exclusive domain of established actors and celebrated directors. New faces, unconventional stories and relatively unknown creators have found audiences. Online contests and talent platforms, too, have opened doors for aspiring artists.

Yet perhaps the most beautiful aspect of this creative explosion is that not everyone creates for fame or fortune. A corporate executive may spend weekends composing music; a teenager may write poetry never intended for publication; the twilight years may inspire someone to pursue a long-suppressed passion.The reactions may not always be encouraging, but the real reward often lies in the sheer joy of creation.

An artist does not necessarily create because the world is watching; often, the artist creates because something within refuses to remain unexpressed.

There is also a misconception that one must possess extraordinary talent to become an artist. Not necessarily. Anyone who sincerely pursues a creative passion is, in some measure, an artist.Talent may provide the spark, but perseverance keeps the flame alive.The journey from raw ability to refined artistry demands focus, grit, resilience and discipline. Creativity may be instinctive ;  mastery rarely is.

Ralph Waldo Emerson opined , “Every artist was first an amateur.”

A grandmother once decided to try painting. She proudly produced a colourful landscape. Her grandson studied it and cautiously asked, “Grandma, is that a sunset or a volcano?”

She burst out laughing. “Neither. It’s my first painting!” she replied.

And that was enough. She kept painting.Today her walls are filled with canvases , and her sunsets no longer resemble volcanoes!

Sometimes, the first step towards becoming an artist is simply being unafraid of looking like an amateur.

Behind every dedicated musician lie ardous hours of practice; behind every graceful dancer, innumerable rehearsals; behind every promising writer, pages written, discarded and rewritten.The difference is not always talent. It is often simply the courage to continue when one is not yet good enough.

And therein lies a lesson far beyond art.To develop any skill seriously, one must step outside the familiar cocoon of the comfort zone.The first painting may be imperfect, the first poem awkward, the first performance hesitant and the first video amateurish. But every attempt is a step towards improvement. 

Creativity needs courage. Courage is faith in action. It needs the courage to begin, the humility to learn, the resilience to accept criticism and the discipline to keep going when appreciation does not come immediately. Encouragement, therefore, can be transformative. A word of appreciation, a small platform, constructive criticism or simply an attentive audience can give an emerging artist the confidence to persevere. Sometimes, all one needs to hear is that reassuring inner voice: “You have something. Keep going.” For someone struggling to fulfil a creative urge, those few words can become the wind beneath their wings.

Perhaps this is why art is so deeply human. It allows us simultaneously to find ourselves and lose ourselves. In creating, we discover abilities we did not know we possessed. Once absorbed in the creative process, we momentarily forget our anxieties and everyday burdens. In that sense, creativity can indeed become a form of meditation.

Whether one paints a masterpiece or a flower that barely resembles a flower or writes a poem meant only for the family WhatsApp group, or sings alone in the shower, the impulse remains essentially the same: the joy of bringing something into existence that did not exist before.Nobody becomes an artist by waiting to become perfect.The first draft, first sketch or first performance may be imperfect. It is the guts to begin that sets the artist on the journey.

So, let us celebrate not merely the accomplished artists who occupy centre stage but also the countless amateurs practising quietly, experimenting fearlessly and honing their skills with sincerity. Every celebrated artist was once an unknown beginner.

Art does not always begin with applause. Perhaps that is the finest definition of an artist, as the journey itself becomes the reward.

Art is not merely something we do. It is one of the most beautiful ways in which we discover who we are. Creativity, therefore, is not the privilege of the gifted few.

It belongs to anyone with the dauntlessness and perseverance to nurture it with gratitude and more importantly humility , for humility is the soil in which consciousness and ingenuity can grow.

That is the quiet power of Art !

(Dr. Supriya Shukla is a gold medalist in English and a doctorate holder, and a retired Principal and former Head of the Department of English at VSSD College, Kanpur. A freelance writer and blogger empanelled with eThe Times of India and The Sentinel, her work appeals in national and international journals. She is also an Advisory Board member of LitStream and a regular contributor.)