Every artist whose work you have loved, has had a special source from where their inspiration has come for ages, and continues to come:
Their own life story and how they view the world.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines an artist as “a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination.”
Which is why, the best filmmakers have their genres, even when they explore different things.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movies are filled with huge sets and people from a world that none of us witnesses around us coupled with no happy endings ever.
Karan Johar, on the other hand, has homes that are extravagant yet are not unreal, only super rare. It is coupled with exotic locations, love as the central theme, and also making stars look really good.
Suraj Barjatya, on the other hand, has stellar movies that focus on family values, togetherness, having a huge home (despite a lot of characters not being filthy rich) and very happy marriages.
Kabir Khan makes movies based on sports and the protagonist going through hell to win at the end.
All of them have branched into different spaces as well, while being true to who they are.
I use the example of filmmakers whose movies have done really well and have resonated with us. However, the truth could be extrapolated into every artist or influencer you admire. For everything they share and you relate with it, there is a common thread of who they were naturally – without any force, peer pressure or making data based decisions.
The question then arises, is: How do we find what is our art going to be?
Here is how you find it:
Your art is you.
You will have to work hard on it, though. You will also have to learn from what others are doing who have excelled in their arts, and apply it to what you do.
And, you will also have to not apply if something does not resonate with you, even if 99% of the world is still doing it.
For an artist to find their true selves, is eventually the easiest and the hardest thing.
Easiest because no one knows you as much as you do.
Hardest because it is so easy to get trapped in the hustle of the world that ignoring yourself feels justified instead of jury (think about it).
No matter what, an artist is called an artist when they show up. When no one is watching. When everyone is watching. Because who are you, if you are not an artist?
