I do consider myself a pin up artist even though this doesn't define everything I create. After all, I make clothes, quilts, home dec, culinary creations, and much more.
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| My latest watecolor creation in progress. |
Friday, September 23, 2011
Random Ramblings of a Pin up artist
I think there are many preconceived notions about artists, or maybe it's just me. Either way as an artist there are some constant conflicts in my head. One being will other people accept my art? Does my art need to have deep/hidden meaning? Does it fit into a category of art? If no one buys my art should I go on creating it? Does my art contribute to society? The list goes on and on. One of the biggest challenges of being an artist, for me, is overcoming these thoughts and actually producing art. I have received a great book from my mother called Art & Fear by David Bales & Ted Orlando, and I refer to it often. It is a great book that explores a lot of fears artists have and need to overcome in order to thrive. I think my preconceived notions about being an artist started in high school, I'm not sure why, maybe the peer pressure to have a successful career? We all know artist are starving right? And you are only an artist if you produce some great art and someone discovers it and puts your art in a gallery or museum. I know this sounds silly once saying it aloud but really, I have lived with this belief for too long.
I do consider myself a pin up artist even though this doesn't define everything I create. After all, I make clothes, quilts, home dec, culinary creations, and much more.
I do, however, especially love drawing and painting portraits. There is something very gratifying about sitting down and translating a face through my medium of choice. It's my time to be free, quiet my mind and do something just for myself. The peacefulness of taking a clean piece of paper and laying my mark on it makes me happy. The potential that lies in the materials and flows out of them when connected with me. It's that simple now if I could only remember that when those questions pop into my mind. "Quiet critical mind, the creative mind is at work!"
I do consider myself a pin up artist even though this doesn't define everything I create. After all, I make clothes, quilts, home dec, culinary creations, and much more.
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You are not alone. I too consider myself a folk artist - one that has not been professionally trained. I've been creating - actually as long as I can remember. In high school the art teacher "laughed" at something I painted. Now, mind you there were serveral truly talented students in my class. Actually, one of my best friends, who now owns her own gallery in Weston, WI. So, that experience of his "laughing" has never really left me. In fact it has on many occassion held me back. I actually know many people here in central Wisconsin who "wouldn't get my art", however I still keep creating. I have had expriences where I was set up at a show and people were like "who would put scary faces on pumkins" It hasn't been until the last 2-3 years of just overcoming that "fear" of people judging my art that I now feel more creative. I have several repeat customers and do commission work too. So, hang in there, your watercolor looks beautiful so far. Believe in yourself and that creativity will flow.....Blessings from Ringle, WI
ReplyDelete"If you build it, they will come." Create what makes you happy, and it will make others happy too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dicky Bird, are you referring to the Blue Green Gallery?
ReplyDeleteThat is so true Bo Peep, the challenge is in keeping the faith.
Kat I can speak as a High School art teacher that in High School we usually push students to use higher order thinking skills in their art as well as using the design cycle in order to get them doing more than just making something pretty or cool because if we don't we see lots of suns with hairy rays and sunglasses on. We also have state and national art standards the the students are going to have to meet and they usually require the art to be more meaty than pretty and ask students to challenge themselves more. I remember my own experiences in college being pretty similar always being asked what the meaning was behind everything you did and believe me that was hard when you were blowing glass.
ReplyDeleteI think wanting to explore the beauty of the human form is a great "reason" to make art. Keep being inspired and making art. Don't be concerned about all the other nonsense. My only other suggestion is the keep looking at other artist whether historical or contemporary for inspiration because I think that is helpful to all artist.
I personally would love to see your piece when it is finished as well as more work.
Thanks Living Vintage, I think art class has changed since I was enrolled. I had a great teacher and I believe most of my beliefs were self imposed. I will work on getting that watercolor done. You can see more of my art on Facebook and in The Blue Awning.
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