--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason I make art is because I get to…" description: "\"The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put out into the world, the footsteps I leave behind. It'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a12/ben-sollee-28068_all-kinds_the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-t_944794.jpg" --- # The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice… ![“The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put out into the world, the footsteps I leave behind. It's a cliché for a reason - we all kind of work our own paths through the woods. There are not a lot of paths through the woods for someone who…” quote by Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a12/ben-sollee-28068_all-kinds_the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-t_944794.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a12/ben-sollee-28068_all-kinds_the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-t_944794.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a12/ben-sollee-28068_all-kinds_the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-t_944794.jpg) > “The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put out into the world, the footsteps I leave behind. It's a cliché for a reason - we all kind of work our own paths through the woods. There are not a lot of paths through the woods for someone who sings, plays the cello, and wants to tour on a human scale and create change in the world. I'm on my own path. It's pretty awesome.” [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artistic creation is a deliberate act of self‑definition, shaping identity, purpose, and legacy through personal expression. **In simple terms:** Making art lets you choose who you are and what you leave behind. Key Takeaway Use creative work to explore and affirm your values. Themes identity creativity purpose Mood inspirational determined Type reflective motivational When to use this quote - personal projects - public performances - community workshops - career decisions Key Concepts self‑actualization legacy Questions to Reflect On - What does your art say about your core values? - How does your creative path differ from others? A Different Perspective Art may be constrained by external expectations or market pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All kinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-kinds/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-is/) [Art Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-make-251085/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Change In The World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-in-the-world/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Create](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create/) [Footsteps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/footsteps/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Make Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-art-251083/) [My own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-own/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Paths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paths/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-make-1029398/) [Scales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scales/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Who i am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who-i-am/) [Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woods/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-to-make-a-choice-about-who-i/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it fills the empty places in my life. Some of them. Not all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/i-make-art-sometimes-i-make-true-art-and-sometimes-it-fills-the-empty/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [If you can't make art, make your life a work of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-malraux/if-you-can-t-make-art-make-your-life-a-work-of-art/) [Andre Malraux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-malraux/) > [“Make art, make a statement, make a protest. It's up to you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-hucklesby/make-art-make-a-statement-make-a-protest-it-s-up-to-you/) [Jill Hucklesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-hucklesby/) > [I don't make art to make money, I make art so I can make art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-don-t-make-art-to-make-money-i-make-art-so-i-can-make-art/) [Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/) > [“There are two things in this world that I want to do endlessly: make art and make love. And with you, they are one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yeh/there-are-two-things-in-this-world-that-i-want-to-do-endlessly-make/) [Jessica Yeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yeh/) > [“If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-have-to-do-it-i-make-art-2/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [There are so many different ways to make art. And so many good stories. You don't have to have a budget. I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amandla-stenberg/there-are-so-many-different-ways-to-make-art-and-so-many-good-stories/) [Amandla Stenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amandla-stenberg/) > [If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-have-to-do-it-i-make-art/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You make art, you make it from what you know, and that's the best way to make art. You get lost in the details…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boots-riley/you-make-art-you-make-it-from-what-you-know-and-that-s-the-best-way/) [Boots Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boots-riley/) > [I feel like you have to make art because you have to make it. But the end result of it- that last stage- you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/i-feel-like-you-have-to-make-art-because-you-have-to-make-it-but-the/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [You need to come up with a reason to make a movie, separate from the commercial side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-miller/you-need-to-come-up-with-a-reason-to-make-a-movie-separate-from-the/) [Christopher Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-miller/) > [There is just no sensible, logical reason why we would not make use of stem cell research.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlen-specter/there-is-just-no-sensible-logical-reason-why-we-would-not-make-use-of/) [Arlen Specter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlen-specter/) > [“Things don't happen for a reason, we make reasons out of things that happen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-p-naughton/things-don-t-happen-for-a-reason-we-make-reasons-out-of-things-that/) [Michael P. Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-p-naughton/) > [There are all kinds of mix tapes. there is always a reason to make one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/there-are-all-kinds-of-mix-tapes-there-is-always-a-reason-to-make-one/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) ## More by Ben Sollee > [I feel really passionately about safe, comfortable roads, crosswalks, and sidewalks. Everyone of all economic backgrounds should be able to get to school or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/i-feel-really-passionately-about-safe-comfortable-roads-crosswalks/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [Art is consumed in so many different ways. You could say people don't stop to appreciate art. On the other hand, people can consume…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/art-is-consumed-in-so-many-different-ways-you-could-say-people-don-t/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [The idea of "making art for art's sake" makes no sense for me. Each area of my life, all the roles I play, influences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/the-idea-of-making-art-for-art-s-sake-makes-no-sense-for-me-each-area/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [I felt like I was cheating myself of those communities and cheating the audience because I wasn't able to know them. That's what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/i-felt-like-i-was-cheating-myself-of-those-communities-and-cheating/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-to-make-a-choice-about-who-i/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [I'm in a position I never imagined I'd be in as a musician. Bob Dylan built an audience through recording and live shows. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/i-m-in-a-position-i-never-imagined-i-d-be-in-as-a-musician-bob-dylan/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [It's funny, people often ask me, "Why do you do bike tours where it takes three times the effort and you make one-third of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/it-s-funny-people-often-ask-me-why-do-you-do-bike-tours-where-it/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [Cities like Portland, Seattle, and Long Beach, which have made these investments in their infrastructure, are seeing not only health advantages, but also a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/cities-like-portland-seattle-and-long-beach-which-have-made-these/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [I'm interested in questions my son asks me, like, "Why do animals fight? Why do you have to leave us to go on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/i-m-interested-in-questions-my-son-asks-me-like-why-do-animals-fight/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [Art is consumed in so many different ways. You could say people don't stop to appreciate art. On the other hand, people can consume…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/art-is-consumed-in-so-many-different-ways-you-could-say-people-don-t-2/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [I'm definitely musician and storyteller. But I always like to take an active role in things I care about socially and environmentally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/i-m-definitely-musician-and-storyteller-but-i-always-like-to-take-an/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [When you have these van tours, you drive six hours with the doors closed and windows rolled up. You pull into the venue, check…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/when-you-have-these-van-tours-you-drive-six-hours-with-the-doors/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [When we cut off access to certain parts of our cities to people on bikes or in wheelchairs, we're not only doing economic damage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/when-we-cut-off-access-to-certain-parts-of-our-cities-to-people-on/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [I'm a husband and a dad. Two thirds of my day is spent being that character. It's a huge part of my identity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/i-m-a-husband-and-a-dad-two-thirds-of-my-day-is-spent-being-that/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [For every show that we do, anyone that rides public transit, bikes, or walk, we offer them a $5 voucher at the merch table.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/for-every-show-that-we-do-anyone-that-rides-public-transit-bikes-or/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) [Explore all 20 Ben Sollee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) ## More All kinds quotes > [I was interested in all kinds of things, whether it be Avatar, Mad Men, Troy, 300, Battlestar Gallactica, or the poems of Horace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mendelsohn/i-was-interested-in-all-kinds-of-things-whether-it-be-avatar-mad-men/) [Daniel Mendelsohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mendelsohn/) > [While husbands and lovers in the stories are of all kinds, ranging from sympathetic to disgusting, women are invariably deceivers: inconstant, unscrupulous, quarrelsome, querulous,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/while-husbands-and-lovers-in-the-stories-are-of-all-kinds-ranging/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [I'm not technically proficient enough to attempt all kinds of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/i-m-not-technically-proficient-enough-to-attempt-all-kinds-of-music/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [My office in New York is overflowing with all kinds of cookbooks, and in New Orleans we have a huge culinary library. So yeah,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emeril-lagasse/my-office-in-new-york-is-overflowing-with-all-kinds-of-cookbooks-and/) [Emeril Lagasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emeril-lagasse/) > [Sydney is full of the craziest and most talented artists of all kinds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keiynan-lonsdale/sydney-is-full-of-the-craziest-and-most-talented-artists-of-all-kinds/) [Keiynan Lonsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keiynan-lonsdale/) > [Baseball needs to put the steroids era behind it by having and enforcing tough rules against all kinds of artificial advantages, so that spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/baseball-needs-to-put-the-steroids-era-behind-it-by-having-and/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [You know, the world’s not running out of oil. There’s all kinds of oil left in all kinds of places. …We’re never going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-rubin/you-know-the-world-s-not-running-out-of-oil-there-s-all-kinds-of-oil/) [Jeff Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-rubin/) > [I grew up with all kinds of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-diesel/i-grew-up-with-all-kinds-of-people/) [Vin Diesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-diesel/) > [Because there were all kinds of hell - some were black and dirty, and some were silvery and high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/because-there-were-all-kinds-of-hell-some-were-black-and-dirty-and/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [The architecture of the song, if it's built properly, can withstand all kinds of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-haines/the-architecture-of-the-song-if-it-s-built-properly-can-withstand-all/) [Emily Haines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-haines/) > [There are all kinds of writers. The best writers write children's books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-scarry/there-are-all-kinds-of-writers-the-best-writers-write-children-s-books/) [Richard Scarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-scarry/) > [We also need to make sure women can be in charge of their reproductive health. We can't defund places like Planned Parenthood, where women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissy-teigen/we-also-need-to-make-sure-women-can-be-in-charge-of-their/) [Chrissy Teigen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissy-teigen/) > [The single greatest pleasure that I have in doing ('Bizarre Foods') is when I meet families with 6, 7, 8-year-olds, or teenagers, who say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-zimmern/the-single-greatest-pleasure-that-i-have-in-doing-bizarre-foods-is/) [Andrew Zimmern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-zimmern/) > [I can see that I imagine all kinds of rejection that never happens. I can see that I beg and plead for love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/i-can-see-that-i-imagine-all-kinds-of-rejection-that-never-happens-i/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [Do you know people who insist they like 'all kinds of music'? That actually means they like no kinds of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/do-you-know-people-who-insist-they-like-all-kinds-of-music-that/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) [Browse all 1,489 All kinds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-kinds/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put out into the world, the footsteps I leave behind. It's a cliché for a reason - we all kind of work our own paths through the woods. 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