A lot of people have a narrow perception of the idea of art. Naturally, visual arts take precedence in our understanding of the concept. We picture renaissance sculptures and vague images of men in berets posed lavishly in front of blank canvases, awaiting the brush's stroke. While a simple google search will return you several definitions, I'd prefer to speak of my own understanding of the word. To me, art is indeed paint splashed on canvas, but beyond the physical creation of something possessing aesthetic, art is something that lacks precise definition. Art can be manifested in any way imaginable. The only string of constance that is completely definitive of art, is the word passion. To me, being passionate about any subject matter, ranging from economics to graffiti, is what makes its production art.

In my mind, passion begets agony, through loss and though excess. In other words, true passion is felt when deprived of the subject or when overwhelmed by it. The longing felt by the artist who is denied creative expression is the same longing felt by the producer who is engulfed in the creative process. Agony if anything is idicative of passion. 

Theorethical assumptions aside, I would say it is this exact agony that makes the idea of catharsis so immensely beautiful. Some of us do not feel particularly passionate about anything, yet we occassionally indulge in some sense of agony. When this happens we look for escape even though escape may be improbable. Robert Frost says that the only way out is through, an arguable proposition but one to be considered. If the only way out is to fight the fight, then we must be able to endure. From personal experience I'd say that the best way of doing so, is by monopolozing agony and turning it into some form of invigourated expression. An expression of passion driven by agony, a description you may or may not find familiar. 

This is by no means an unfamiliar concept, expression of pain through art is perhaps the most universally understood notion within the creative process. The reason I've decided to write this was because of how often I've encountered individuals who simply disregard creative outlets in dealing with problems in life. They claim they are "not good authors," or painters or creators in general. Yet, what remains unseen is that creation need not be good if it is passionate and art, as said before is not limited to simple constructions of language or design. Judgement is subjective and if what you create is important to you, the opinions of others should not matter at all.

At the end of this, I hope whoever reads it finds solace and motivation in the power they unkowingly possess in both their hands and minds. You may feel alone and you may feel overwhelmed but when there's no one else there to lean on, you have your own ingenuity. As simplistic as that sounds, it must help knowing that there is unlimited power between your own fingertips and consciousness. You must dream and you must create.

-CrumblingCookie