Should All Art Have Meaning?

As a full-time artist, I make my living off my creations. I'm fortunate to have clients who believe in me and my skillset to create custom works of art for them. These commissioned projects fund my passion projects—the pieces that feed my creative soul and push my artistry forward.

But I won't lie; sometimes I get stuck when creating new works for myself. I ask myself: Why am I doing this? Who is it for? What is the reason behind this piece? If I wrestle with these questions, I'm sure other artists do too.

So, should all art have meaning? And if it does, who gets to decide what that meaning is?

Junior Creates Artwork

I remember a time when I felt down and unproductive because I was trying so hard to find the 'why' behind a new piece calling my name. I wanted to paint a koi fish—not for a client, not for a show—just for me. But my mind kept asking, Why, Junior? Why a koi fish? I told myself that all great artists create with meaning, and if I presented my work to a jury without understanding my 'why,' they'd tear me apart. (Thankfully, my self-talk has improved since then!)

I've come to learn that art is whatever you make of it. It doesn't always need a deep backstory or profound purpose. Sometimes, art exists simply because the artist felt the need to create it. And if you really think about it, not creating art because you're searching for meaning is counterproductive. Art, at its core, is about creation. Period.

Some of my most fulfilling pieces came from moments when I let go of the internal pressure to justify my work and instead embraced the process with love, curiosity, and joy. And isn't that what art is really about?

To my fellow artists: don't let the pressure of finding meaning stop you from creating. Whether your art tells a story, evokes emotion, or simply exists because you felt like painting a koi fish, it's valid. Create boldly, passionately, and without limits.

In my journey with Junior Designs, I've learned that inspiration can come from anywhere, and sometimes it's okay to create just because. Art doesn't always need a reason—sometimes, it's the act of creation itself that holds the most meaning.