Creating Against the Inevitable, in the Pursuit of Passion

As an arts producer at CET/Think^TV, witnessing creative work in progress and translating that energy into content for our viewers is a privilege I never take lightly. There is something deeply satisfying about taking our production crews into artist studios, creative spaces, rehearsal rooms and exhibition halls and sharing their stories. But, the real gift of my work often happens in the margins. Side conversations about hard-earned lessons and unexpected discoveries become the fuel of the story, and remind us of the why behind what we do.

Many of those conversations linger with me long after ending, and I invite that sort of dialogue into my personal life too. Every Sunday, after a robust hour-long walk, I meet my dear friend Emily at our favorite coffee shop, Wholly Grounds on Wayne Avenue in Dayton. Emily is truly a sister from another mother. Our standing ritual is a mix of gossip, laughter and honest reflection about the work week we each have ahead and behind us.

During a recent coffee chat, our conversation turned to the Los Angeles fires from over a year ago. As the anniversary approaches, the scale of devastation still feels difficult to comprehend, and the impact on artists still hits me strongest. Some experienced smoke or water damage and others lost entire bodies of work that had been built over a lifetime. Years of exploration, experimentation and devotion reduced to ash or ruin. It was a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of the physical manifestations of creativity. 

As an artist, I advocate for the importance of documentation and estate planning, and I have personally insured work through institutions when it has been exhibited, transported or loaned.  Yet I realized, somewhat uncomfortably, that I had never fully considered all of the works resting in storage, studios, basements and other rented spaces. Paintings, sculptures, works on paper, textiles, installations and mixed media pieces all exist in fragile balance with their environments. Heat, moisture, light, pests and time itself conspire quietly against them. Even as a dancer, access to robust health insurance is essential. Our bodies are our instruments and caring for them was, and remains, a major line item in daily expenses. We all have work that could be compromised waiting for the next exhibition, the next opportunity or simply the right moment.

It’s a terrifying rabbit hole of reality, and while instinct may push us to do everything in our power to prevent it, there is a comfort in knowing it is inevitably outside our control. No one is immune to the forces of nature or time, regardless of geography, status, finances or otherwise. This reality points to one of the hidden costs of being a creative creature. We can all relate to this reality, regardless of profession. Our work and our lives are labor made visible, time accumulated and risk embodied.

These considerations only deepen the poetry of passion and creation. They remind us that behind every finished work is a life lived in devotion to craft, often under external pressures of uncertainty and sacrifice. The intention we put into caring for our creations is a vital part of the process that honors the pursuit of passion. It’s a beautiful testimony. We know our work will never be physically eternal, yet we still choose to create. That is the untouchable, living legacy of an artist.

Rodney Veal
CET and Think^TV Producer and Community Arts Liaison