“everyone has opinions, that is why artists must be fulfilled by the process”
Wow, I was surprised at how many responses I got from yesterday’s post about finding your voice. Obviously, this is an issue that many artists grapple with. In reading the posts, it is interesting to me that we all seem to have the same experience–that others recognize our voice before we see it clearly. For me, a lot about who I am as an artist and what direction to take with my art came from long walks in the woods with my dog (a very supportive art lover). Sometimes it is important to clear your head of everything else and just ruminate. I also made lists–what I do well and love to do and what I hate doing and would like to avoid. It seems like a silly exercise, but writing it down drives the points home and helps to see the whole picture.
Recently I saw a movie entitled (Untitled) that seems to be playing only in art theaters, but if you have a chance to see it, go. It is a quirky film that spoofs the NYC art scene and asks the question “when is it art and when is it hype?” I thought it was very funny and really enjoyed it. Other people in the audience who are not tapped into the “art scene” didn’t really get it. One of my favorite scenes showed the hanging of the show of an exciting new artist who walked around the gallery trying to find the best place to “hang” his piece “push pin surrounded by blank wall,” which, you guessed it, was a push pin in the wall with authentication papers and instructions on how to hang it when the buyer got it home. When he found the right spot, everyone cooed and agreed that it was just perfect.
I find that even with an opened mind (and don’t get me wrong, I love seeing the creativity of artists who really push the envelope and find new avenues of expression) there is art out there that I just don’t get. I look at it and say “oh, come on, really?” I do think that some galleries look to be controversial, showing
“art” that gets people talking–even if it is negative. Let’s face it, it is all about buzz. Why else do we all want blogs, websites and facebook accounts?
There was a line in (Untitled) that resonated with me. It was similar to something I always tell my students when I teach. I may not have it exactly right, but the line was something akin to “everyone has opinions, that is why artists must find meaning in the process.”
What does that mean? Everyone responds to art differently, and no artist will appeal to everyone. That is a fact of life. But for the artist to get lost in, to find meaning in, and to be fulfilled by the process is the reason we do what we do. There are certainly easier ways to make money. When artists start worrying too much about the end product–will it get into the right shows, will it sell, will other people consider it ground-breaking–we lose the real reason we create. For artistic people, there is a need to express ourselves through the process. The end result should not be the “goal” and should not impact on how and why we create. Art is a selfish endeavor–in that, I mean that we do it to fulfill ourselves–if we get outside gratification, that is just the icing on the cake.
When I teach I always give the example of young children drawing or painting pictures. If you say to a young child “oh, I love your painting” they will give it to you. Why? Because for them it is all about the process, the end result is unimportant. It is only as we get older that we need the satisfaction of knowing we have put something out in the world that others appreciate. We need to learn from young children that the process is what it is about. So embrace the process, follow your gut instincts and do what you feel compelled to do. That is your voice.
Think he is napping? HA! He is clearing his head in order to find his artistic voice. Well, no, actually, this is my son, and he really was napping. The piece is “catnap” from this year.
Tags: (Untitled), finding your voice, the process
November 9th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Leni, great thread here. PROCESS! Yes, that is what it is about. The DOING! Nothing like that feeling in the whole, wide world. I’d KILL for being able to express myself through my art. I actually experience withdrawal symptoms when I don’t work with fiber for a few days. But then there are times when I need to veg a bit, away from it all. Yesterday, I took the ‘day off’ to clear my head. It was good to just sit and knit, read a great mystery and the watch Masterpiece Theatre, the objective being NOT think about any of the several pieces that are in various stages of ‘in process’ in my studio. I woke up this morning energized, happy to be doing even the tedious tasks that are part of our artistic life, such a labels, sleeves, photography, record-keeping, planning submissions…the list seems endless. After the menial tasks were completed I spent some time playing with a new technique. I’ve had a good day! Thanks for the dialogue. Debbie Bein
November 9th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Well said! I call it percolating. That essential time spent letting the ideas come. In waves, floods or just nibbles. Connecting. The real inner process that precedes the work. The energy does come though. I have this quote on a lot of my hands out etc
“Making art is like a meditation. I put that energy into my creations. Later, viewing a piece, revisit that feeling; like reading a poem or familiar story. It brings you back.