While surfing the internet the other day, I found a website called The Working Artist. www.theworkingartist and the words she wrote rang out loud and clear to me. If this intrigues you, feel free to check it out.
"What do artists do? Artist Crayson Perry recently spoke about a group of schoolchildren who were asked that question by a museum curator. One little girl offered, "Artists are people who sit at Starbucks and eat organic food." But after touring the museum, the curator asked the question again. This time the little girl said, "Artists notice things."
It takes a special kind of person to notice things. And it takes courage to create something from those observations. I believe that the best artists are makers; they notice, they think, they work and they do.
The real art world is a far cry rom how popular culture views us-the slothful drunk, the starving dreamer and the Starbucks-sipping hippie. But being an artist goes beyond those labels into how we view the world and the choices that we make. For making art is not just what artist do, it's who we are."
Do artists really see the world differently? Can an artist take what he/she sees and create a piece of art that allows everyone to see the world in the same way? Or does the artist create the piece and then leave it up to the viewer to interpret in his/her own way?
As I typed that last sentence, I had to laugh because it brings to mind the thought that artists are endlessly curious-are the victims of endless ideas and thoughts. Also, the artist's mind is not only always curious, but always thinking, and always figuring out new ways to incorporate old ideas, combining them with new ideas to accomplish what their mind sees.
What a journey!!!! How is your artistic journey moving forward?
Stay tuned
I often think of the classic artists like Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and think how “fortunate” they were. Their society was a much simpler one than today, their lifestyles a far cry from what we “working” artists of today’s electronic age must lead. I try to think of how I could lead that life of theirs, “eating and sleeping” art, occasionally stopping to eat and maybe take a bath only to immediately return to their easels or chapel ceilings. The digital and electronic age tugs on us from all directions, constantly demanding of our time and attention and energy everywhere but our art. Maybe we just have to wish for a generous benefactor and a personal assistant. Today’s most successful artists are still forced to be part of the eternal buzzing of ones and zeros flowing at the speed of light sometimes, demanding decisions be made, actions be taken. Ah, but for the good ole days when art was art for art’s sake.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure it was better for them. The phrase "starving artist" started somewhere in their time I think. And what kind of pressures would cause a master artist to cut off his ear, I have to wonder. But, you are right, Richard. There is so much speed in today's world. When I consider taking my time on an art piece I almost feel like I'm "wasting" time by trying to go slow and really consider the process, the piece and where I want it to head. We have to give ourselves permission to slow down - but then how do we stop that constant demand from the outside that you speak of?
DeleteAgain, I think it is that perfect balance that we all seek, but so few find--too many demands on us from everywhere. Great thoughts and observations on this blog. Thanks.
DeleteYes, Richard, they surely had a simpler life then, but they had no way of advertising their work on a broad scale like we do today. There are trade-offs in so many things in life. Were they better off? I guess one would have to live both life styles in order to truly answer that question. They never knew of the world today so they didn't miss it. Having lived now, could we go back to that? Would it be a true artists dream?
ReplyDeleteInteresting conversation in regards to technology and art -- it is a tug and pull-- that is for sure. I think one thing to keep in mind for those trying to make a living from it, and something I've learned from writing my books. There truly is no such thing as viral (well there are exceptions) -- but too often that is where people (writers, artists) get caught up in and that they want to make it "big." But the fact is, it is work -- hard, hard work. Technology helps us in ways we never had, as long as we don't get sucked into it and still find most of our time working in our art. I know that when I do, I'm a much happier person than if I spend all my time in social media. It's not always an easy balance, but a practiced art all in itself! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it is an interesting conversation. The hard part is exactly as you said, to find that perfect balance between technology and art---kind of like trying to find that exact balance in life with all that technology has to offer us. Would we choose to go back? I think not.
ReplyDeleteI think we have to appreciate each age of art for what it has to offer...new techniques, new perspectives, new materials, new demands. Probably the Michelangelo's and the Rembrandt's would be able to appreciate the performance artists and the Mark Rothko's and Claes Oldenburg's of today. I wonder, though, if they would have Facebook pages or websites.
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