Dear Parent

Dear Parent,

This may come as a shock to you, this may, even come as a disappointment, but if you're reading this note - it is better that you should know rather than be unaware of the truth.  Your child is an artist. 

What can you do?

At this point there is no cure for artistry or the artistic temperament, but a little knowledge about it might help your understanding.

First of all, don't assume that because your child is an artist that your child is a drug-user, gay, straight, psychotic, a psychic, a sociopathic or even abnormally nice.   While any of these might be true, they are not the cause or result of your child's artistic nature.

Secondly, just because your child is an artist doesn't mean that they will live life struggling or homeless.  In fact, as our world culture becomes more and more iconic and media-oriented, the demand for visual and audio artists is increasing dramatically.

Thirdly, if you were hoping your child would become a doctor or a lawyer or something that seems "significant," it might be a good idea to remember this.  There is one thing that separates humans from all other creatures on the planet. 

The opposable thumb?  No.  Even Koala's have opposable thumbs. 

Humans are the only creatures that imagine what does not exist in a way such that we can share it in a materialized form.  This ability not only allows us to invent tools and create science which advances our species in industry and medicine - but it also allows us to express ourselves in paintings and the telling of stories.   While we may have started painting to share our stories of what happened - we quickly began to paint and tell stories of what might be or could be.  These stories are seen on the cave walls in the past and on the television, movies, and internet today.  These stories and experiences are often the inspiration for scientists to continue to think beyond what exists in front of them.  These stories can inspire other humans to understand each-other better, they can inspire other humans to see beyond what is in their immediate world and strive for something better, something perhaps happier or comforting.

The artist can provide comfort for the lonely, direction for the lost, solace for the disturbed.  It's intangible, but powerful.  This is why we remember Shakespeare for hundreds of years, but do not remember the lawyers who represented him on his real estate struggles.

This one thing that makes us unique could be considered the cornerstone of our humanity - and it is the occupation of the artist to ensure that this stays alive and grows in our world.  And that, I think it is fair to say, is significant.

Even after all this is said, you may still feel disappointment.  That is your own choice.  But, I will suggest this one thing:

You and your child are paddling a life boat together.  If you paddle in different directions, you'll just end up going in circles.  If you accept their direction and paddle with them - even-though you might have hoped for something else - that life boat may actually arrive somewhere and you may actually be pleasantly surprised by what you find.  After all, it is the artist's job to reveal the unimagined to the unexpecting.

Sincerely,

Mark Allen