Art Work and Artwork

 Hey! It's me, Ellie.

This Blog is very timely for me, and maybe for other artists here in Nash. After living in Nashville for 7 years (holy wow) my post-college life has been a roller coaster. I don't know if this is a universal experience, but I have a nostalgia for the community of artists I had in school (or maybe you didn't go to art school. But do you feel me?). There was such lively passion about personal projects, cool shows coming out, and even stupid little drawings. Every moment was saturated in creativity and inside the bubble of that creative force field, I missed what was right in front of me. I was creating more than ever - inspired - and I managed to lose it. Post-college burnout anyone?

Now, I am blessed to have a job in animation, but I still can't sense that mystical field the Balrog itself can't pass. I work in art every day but I still yearn to be inspired to create, not just to do a job. I want to make artwork, not just do art work (stupid but catchy no?). I want to be surrounded by passion like before. A passion almost entirely fueled by the dreams of artists. There is something I cherish more and more about listening to people pour out their hearts about what they love. I know this all sounds very flowery and enlightened or maybe even obvious, but bear with me.

Is this is something everyone else has already realized? Sometimes, it takes me a while to have an epiphany. Drinking more water, not taking on too much work, folding laundry when it comes out of the dryer (still working on that one). 

There's a difference between work and art. There's a difference between making things for money and making things for yourself and others that carries something special and pure. For the last five or so years I've done an annual read of Andrew Peterson's book Adorning the Dark. Alongside that book I also just finished for the first time Walking on Water. These books are so timely. It hit me that there is such potential for there to be an abounding creative space for artists to come together and encourage one another in Nashville. Community can foster nuggets of ideas into giant-mega chicken nuggets of art. There is a little blurb a think about a lot:

"The unpayable debt that I owe to [Lewis] was not 'influence' as it is ordinarily understood, but sheer encouragement. He was for long my only audience. Only from him did I ever get the idea that my 'stuff' could be more than a private hobby."
— The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

It's not so much that I'm anticipating anyone becoming this crazy famous artist or writing the next LOTR. That almost sounds too much like Art Work. It's simply that great ideas can come from others seeing the potential and encouraging them with "keep going, you are making cool stuff." That is my hope for this blog and my secret desire to be like C.S. Lewis. Thank you Aedan and Natalie for starting this!

You are the Dragon

I haven't asked Aedan or Nat what the name The Dragon Cabinet means. My name (Ellie, in case you forgot) means light, sun-ray, or, to boil down a lot of family history, strong encourager. Thematic, no? Do we as artists get to decide what The Dragon Cabinet means? Is it just a cool name? I'm not so sure so here's my take: I like the idea that there is this cabinet full of these stories and dreams, guarded by a dragon. A dragon there to protect the sacred nature of these heart-felt, passion-driven stories. There is always a fear inherent in putting work into the world that it will get smashed or stolen or worse. The Dragon is there to stop the lurking fears. I can see the image of a stupid middle school poster saying "You are the dragon". I love the idea that as a community we can protect and encourage the little baby sprouts of ideas so that they can cross-pollenate, soak in the soil, and bloom. Imagine a cabinet bursting with flora!

The Dragon Cabinet

Maybe this is a little idealistic, but nevertheless, I'm excited! I love being a part of something. I'm honored to be here. So here is my charge: do what you have to, to find that community. Maybe you are one of my friends reading this blog or maybe you are one of the few folks who managed to make their way through reading this without that "friendship obligation". Once that community is found, let's go and make art for that community. Let's fuel it with our own passions for no other obligation. It's not for career or to impress others. It's simply to share our hearts and encourage others. It can be about cool personal projects, it can be about the excitement for a new show, or it can even be a not-so-stupid drawing. Let's fill the Cabinet.

-Ellie