Forget Likes, Create for F*cks Sake
In the relentless pursuit of likes, shares, and revenue, it’s easy for artists to lose sight of what ignited their creative fire in the first place. The constant pressure to cater to client whims, audience expectations, and performance metrics can quickly transform a once-passionate pursuit into a joyless, mechanical grind. Don’t get me wrong, monetizing your craft is important. But in 2024, I’m trying to ride another wave: creating for pure, unadulterated fulfillment. Creating for the sake of creation.
Enter The Other Scene
In 2021, I took a leap of faith and founded The Other Scene™. Born from a desire to champion independent creators and shine a light on alternative narratives, it was the realization of an idea: to carve out a virtual space where art could be free from convention. A place where creativity could be offered in its purest form.
Three years later, the success of the platform shines through in the countless stories told, the diverse voices amplified, and the lives touched by the power of unbridled creativity. Here, the process is celebrated as much as the product, and the mission to share the unfiltered stories of those who dare to create is unwavering.
One of my favorite episodes from our Capturing The Internet Series perfectly embodies this ethos of creating for the sake of creation, featuring artists who’ve dared to prioritize their own creative fulfillment over conventional metrics of success.
CHASING ICONS ON THE INTERNET
“I think my earliest memory of shooting photos when I was a kid… I just shot photos of everything on the field trip and I couldn’t wait to get all the photos back.” — Mike Blabac
The narratives shared by Jason Goldwatch and Mike Blabac in this episode of Capturing The Internet are powerful and resonant. They implicitly celebrate the joy, fulfillment, and sometimes the necessity of creating art that speaks to a personal level, independent of external validation or audience reception. By pairing these two artists, who share a creative philosophy that emphasizes the inherent value and meaning of the creative act itself, the episode offers a captivating glimpse into their unique mindsets and approaches to their work. Their stories serve as a compelling reminder of the importance of staying true to one’s own creative vision and finding fulfillment in the process of bringing that vision to life.
How My Side Hustle Became My Main Gig
The birth of my company, MAGNA OPERA, in 2013, is a testament to the power of staying true to one’s creative vision. What began as a side hustle, a small LLC I founded to pursue freelance passion projects, quickly transformed into my lifeline when I landed a massive client just months after starting the company. This pivotal moment coincided with the unexpected bankruptcy of my full-time employer, leaving my colleagues and me suddenly out of work.
This experience taught me a profound lesson in the importance of following my passion and trusting my creative instincts, even in the face of uncertainty. It showed me that when we pour our hearts into projects that truly resonate with us, we create not just art, but opportunities. Looking back, I see that the inception of MAGNA OPERA was a manifestation of my commitment to my own creative vision — a leap of faith that paid off in ways I could never have imagined, setting the stage for a career driven by passion, authenticity, and the relentless pursuit of my own creative fulfillment.
Find Your Voice
In a world craving connection, creating art for oneself is an act of rebellion — a bold assertion of identity in a chaotic landscape. It’s about tapping into the essence of what drives us to create.
The most profound art emerges from a place of personal fulfillment. When you create from this space, you’re sharing a piece of yourself with the world. Embrace the journey, let your emotions guide you, and find joy in the creative process. Trust your instincts, embrace your unique perspective, and let your creativity shine through. Create not for the likes or shares, but for the love of the craft. In doing so, you enrich your own life and inspire others to do the same.
Witness the power of unfiltered creativity! Dive deeper into the stories of independent creators & head over to The Other Scene’s YouTube channel or our official website.
