Living Lightly with Art in a Competitive World

Living Lightly with Art in a Competitive World

We live in a society built on competition. We're told we have to be the best, constantly measured, compared, and evaluated. We fear falling behind, we fear failure. But the truth is, everyone has their own unique strengths, and not everything in life can be ranked or measured accurately. Some people, like me, might be great at painting but struggle with math.

​Others may be brilliant with numbers but lack artistic sense. Some may be good at both but fall short in character. The point is—we each have something unique that allows us to live, work, and thrive. And for that, I am deeply grateful. I’m thankful that God gave me artistic talent, and more importantly, the energy and perseverance to keep developing it.

Still, the art world is not free from competition. Artists face open calls, juried exhibitions, and constant pressure to build résumés and sell their work. It’s easy to fall into the trap of ranking yourself, comparing achievements, wondering where you fall on the invisible ladder. I remember the high school I went to—it was brutal. Students were seated according to academic ranking, from the very top to the very bottom.

The top scorer sat in the front-left corner of the first row; the lowest sat in the back by the door. It was harsh, almost inhumane, all for the sake of college admissions. In that environment, friends became rivals, and laughter disappeared from our lives. But even as teenagers, we found ways to rebel, to laugh in secret, to come up with little ideas that gave us brief moments of freedom and joy. And now that I look around at the world we live in, it doesn’t feel so different from that old classroom.

Just like back then, I believe life needs joy. That’s why I love art. And that’s why I want more people to experience art—not as something exclusive, but as something that brings fun, play, and discovery. I see myself as a hunter of joy, someone who’s always seeking out new forms of wonder, and I think I always will be. I’m so thankful this is my job. When I find something beautiful and share it with people—especially with children—and see them light up, that’s when I feel truly happy. That kind of happiness is greater than any personal achievement. It’s a kind of joy that multiplies.

So I’ll keep working, keep searching for those sparks of inspiration, and keep sharing them. Because I want to live in a world where we can all smile and feel light together. And that’s the kind of world I’m trying to help create—through art, through joy, through a life filled with wonder.

In a world obsessed with competition and success, one artist reflects on how embracing creativity and play can bring true joy. Discover why art is not just about talent—but about living freely, authentically, and with purpose.