I was asked on Spotify to elaborate on artist growth.

First of all, we need to understand what is meant by growth. The artist's craft is complex and is not only limited to his art, that is, his technique, but includes his soul, his wallet, his social life, his culture, his mind, his body. In short, the characteristics that a good artist must develop are many and multidisciplinary. So much so that we have to arrive, by necessity, at a holistic view of what an artist is.

The artist, for me, is the one who brings a new nuance of reality to those who do not have the time or inclination to seek it out on their own.

This means that for me the artist is first and foremost an explorer. But he does not explore space, at least, not primarily. He explores his feelings, his soul. That is why he is often confused as a vain being. True, many who make art do so out of vanity, fragility, a desire to be recognized. But I am not talking about them; I am talking about those who have a wound inside, an irrepressible desire to communicate, a curiosity that takes them far away each time.

The artist must explore others, space and time. Precisely because of this holistic characteristic, his growth depends on so many factors. Unfortunately, for reasons of space and time, I will focus on the growth of the central engine.

We can be helped by some sayings that have survived the millennia of wars and revolutions:

"Mens sana in corpore sano."

Feed your heart and mind with quality food that uplifts you, that sets you up for improvement and openness.

"The more I know, the more I know not to know."

This basic principle, which compels those who have embarked on a path of discovery, to always take a step forward into the unknown, is the basis of movement. It is the engine.

"He who goes slow, goes steady and goes far."

To grow, you need the resilience of the turtle. You don't succeed the first time, not even the hundredth time. They say the first five years of any discipline are not about finding success, but about getting good at it. It takes time, dedication and listening.

"Don't put the cart before the horse."

This saying means many things at once. In our case, I would say that first of all, good economic management is needed. My suggestion is not to get into debt, to avoid being forced, especially at the beginning of one's career, to make waivers because of debt. But it also applies to how you present yourself. Humility, professionalism and listening are ignored but essential skills in the art world.

Last thing. In the meantime that you take this road, impassable, full of potholes and precipices on both sides, often lonely, divorced from everyday life, special because it is foreign, I suggest you remember, from time to time, for your own sanity, one last saying:

"He who is content, enjoys."

Because sometimes the talent is not being able to do what we love, but loving what we do.

On to the next page.