We recently connected with Stan Myers and have shared our conversation below.

Stan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I have found being an artist fulfills my sense of purpose and calling. I can be confident in saying this because I have the privilege, at this place in life, with a more complete perspective. When I started my carrier, after graduation from the university, my intention was to follow a “sensible” career in commercial design and illustration. However, as it turned out, the economy did not provide such opportunities and I had to look for any source of income. I figured, if Im an art major, maybe I could find a part time job doing sales with an art gallery. When I approached the owner of a gallery she didn’t offer me an opportunity, but asked a question that formed my direction as an artist for years to come. She simply asked “What kind of work do you do? Opportunity pursued me. Within weeks I was exhibiting my work with the gallery and invited out to lunch with some noteworthy individuals in our community. For a number of years I continued to focus on my career as an artist, gaining recognition, but not prospering as I had hoped.

Eventually, another opportunity came, in the midst of a challenging time, to pursue a career I had originally prepared for as an illustrator and designer. This came at a good time in life because not many years after this I was married and had a family to raise, needing consistent income. It was right for the right time in my life, but I sensed something was missing. I still recall how my coworkers in the office would refer to them selves as designers, but “Stan, you on the other hand, you are the artist who does design.”

At first I laughed along with their statement, but years later I came to realize the truth of what they said and a growing restless in me. I had come to the point that I hadn’t done a piece of art for years. There were some creative highlights, but not as a whole of my work. I was more wrestles as time went by. I recall one day spending my lunch break in a park reading when a woman walked up and commented to me about a nearby sculpture. I was courteous, but removed in my reply until she asked me a question that got my attention. “What kind of art do you do?” This was the same question I was asked decades previously by the owner of the gallery. More so; however, I asked, “How do you know Im an artist?” She didn’t answer with words, but simply a gesture that implied my demeanor or aura. Its who you are.

Then came the day I was dismissed from my position. Yes, I was certainly intimidated, but at the same time grateful. Of coarse I knew what I would do going forward. Im grateful my wife supported and encouraged me in this direction. Its not that there hasn’t been many challenges to contend with, as will be the case no matter what we pursue in life.

Now that I have been pursuing my art full time for years I have a new perspective and appreciation for what I am doing. I feel in place and there is a contentment in doing what I know I am supposed to be doing. And those who are familiar with the work I did in my youth tell me my work is far better now. I believe that is because my heart is now into it fart more than in my youth, because I am at peace.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

To be an artist is not something you do, but who you are. I am always an artist. Not in a sense of identity but in the perspective of awareness. It entails more than producing art, but perspective seeing in multiple levels. Abstractly, literally, metaphorically, etc. One of the most significant things I see by being an artist is not what I produce, but what I see. Like yesterday while standing at the gas pump enraptured by the autumn light on the cloud formations. More than once my wife has seen me impulsively pull off the road to take in what I see that no one else would begin to notice and appreciate. When I was no longer painting perhaps I was as in-observant as others, but now I am grateful that I see.

To create a piece of art, in my perspective, is the process of contemplating what captivated me at the moment I discovered it. It’s a heart response. It must be in order to commit hours to processing the experience and directing it into a painting. Its recognizing that this experience is meaningful enough to attempt to capture some semblance of the moment. For myself, in the process of creating it, and for others in response.

When painting, its like a dance. A mental dance that goes from place to place in my thoughts. It starts with the heart experience which inspires the piece. Then there is an analysis of what evokes the impression. Most people who make associations with the objects that they see, but I look at how the light interacts with the objects that creates a mood. For me, objects are abstract forms in an arrangement that needs to be arranged harmoniously in a composition. The dance occurs when my thoughts move from seeing objects abstractly by how the light reveals them to looking at them for what they are as objects to assessing the impression it gives as a whole in my heart. It transcends merely reproducing what is seen but establishing parameters, arranging it, emphasizing and de-emphasizing elements. What is magical; however, is how it all comes together to convey the experience to others.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My perspective as an artist holds great value in appreciating what I see and experience in nature. I find that when I am wrestling with life and I am renewed by these experiences. When I share my artwork with others my hope is that it will renew them also. Something of my experience will be conveyed to them. Hopefully so much that they will want to make it a part of their life.

One of the greatest challenges I find as an artist is the inability or unwillingness of so many to choose to see. Our western society is directed and encouraged to look at life rationally and factually. Even much of art has become cerebral and not of the heart. Thinking is analytical, functional and methodical. Sadly, I feel society is missing out on life, but I believe if individuals were first aware of the need for abstract, creative thinking and then utilizing these skills, their life experience will be more whole.

Today, I see the mission of my work is to introduce opportunities to experience peace and beauty in their lives. Some will see my work as merely pretty, but what is meaningful to me is when someone shares in tears how a piece speaks to them in a deep way. Or a business man who tells me he is having a stressful day and turns his attention to my painting in his office and finds peace. We all need peace and the goodness of beauty in our lives. Its a matter of if we quiet our souls and where we turn our attention to. I believe art is transcendent. It can introduce us to experience what is beyond the natural physical experience of the the senses.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I was working as a full time artist in my youth my biggest downfall was focusing to much on money. It came about slowly. When I first pursued my artwork as a profession I was working from my heart. But the demands of life poisoned my attention. So much so, that when I delivered my last painting as a commission, in my heart I said, “Good, Im glad Im done with that! Now I can go make some real money doing design.” I had lost my heart for what I was saying in my art.

Today, even if I am concerned with my budget, I am aware that painting for money, meaning that my biggest concern is selling it, will ruin the motivation behind my art. It will be just work. The directors of all the galleries that represent my work have shared with me the importance of painting from your heart, not for sales. Why? Because, they tell me, the buyers can tell if your heart is in the piece. They can feel it and they want to vicariously experience what you have experienced.

Contact Info:

• Website: stanmyersstudio.com
• Instagram: stan.myers.studio
• Facebook: Stan Myers Studio

Image Credits
All credits held by Stan Myers Studio