Everyone is an Artist in Their Own Medium

What qualifies someone as an artist? The typical markers involve mastery of a craft like painting, dance, or sculpture that allows one to generate creative works others recognise as artistic. Yet the legendary psychologist Carl Rogers believed every person has the capacity for creative expression in some medium, no matter how seemingly mundane.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Rogers pioneered an approach centred on Unconditional Positive Regard – valuing all people for who they are, not what they achieve. He knew that to become their optimal selves, people need environments where they feel safe being authentic, not forced to present inauthentic facades. When given complete freedom to channel their distinctive experiences into something personally meaningful, Rogers believed everyone can make art of their lives.

Creative Channels

Rogers was right. Given his compassionate lens, we needn’t be Da Vinci or Mozart to have valid artistic impulses worthy of nurturing. Your medium of choice may not hang in the Tate or top music charts. But unconditionally regarding all personal self-expression as valid gives people permission to turn core passions, however unorthodox, into creative channels that feed the soul.

For example, an amateur chef turns the alchemy of food preparation into his artistry. A devoted parent marshals all her life experience into how she raises her children. An avid football fan pours creative energy into managing his fantasy team. Or a devoted friend channels insight from supporting others into becoming an impactful mentor.

Self-Actualised

When we direct our distinctive personalities and aptitudes into anything that lets us feel self-actualised, we make art of that domain however humble it may be. The key is choosing to take unconditional positive regard to mean that when we pursue our true passions with authenticity, we engage the same creative capacity that enables anyone to make art of their lives, regardless of external judgments or standards.

So today, reflect on what niche aligns with your authentic selfhood and gifts. How could you bring more artistry there by channelling your irreproducible experiences into something you find personally meaningful? For inhabiting fully who we are, not conformity, makes us artists of the domains that matter most to us. That is the craft every human longs to master at heart.

Further Reading

Robinson, K. (2009). The element: How finding your passion changes everything. New York, NY: Penguin.

Robinson, K., & Aronica, L. (2013). Finding your element: How to discover your talents and passions and transform your life. New York, NY: Penguin.