Finding your voice is always a challenge. Recently a friend visited my studio and remarked, "those paintings look so different, they aren't soft like the others." So does that mean my paintings need to always look soft, because that's my style? Or can that vision morph? Someone else commented, "your new ones are so dark." Well meaning words, but it almost makes me want to go and hole up in a cave and paint without input. I bet you know what I mean. As we artists constantly think, learn, morph and explore our new understanding of our work we have to try to be impervious to being swayed.
As we move forward in life our art reflects that journey. It can't stay still.
14 comments:
Right! I was very intrigued by a quote by Winslow Homer...he reportedly said something like "artists shouldn't look at other artists work". But, come on! obviously he did! (But, maybe what he meant was that we shouldn't look at it consistently...we should look at our own only for a stretches). I agree with you that a comment can almost throw one for a loop. I am getting better at not being swayed by random comments. LOVE this painting as well as the one before.
Stunning color and light on this! It just sings.
Hardly a day goes by when I don't hear someone say something that doesn't righteously deserve a snappy rejoinder, but when it comes to burning cells, I'd rather be painting.
There is darkness in your new paintings but also so much light ... and softness. And what's wrong with darkness anyway? Your style is reflected in all your paintings. Don't ever stay still (even if you could!). Just hang on to your hat and enjoy the ride.
Hi Celeste!
WH had the right idea. We do learn from others...but at some point you really have to look within to find the answers. You never know what you will find. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Thanks katherine!
Hi Sam and paint you do! (thankfully) Good to know i have company! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks Leah!!! It this L1?It sure sounds like you!
Journey... maybe I should start this comment with how very much I enjoy it that you share your journey... your journey in technique, in materials... in your psyche / mind. I love every post.
Voice.... you titled this one Voice. I had to use my voice and post a comment... as a silent observer for months. Don't change a thing.. keep going with the flow.. hang onto that vein of gold... and please keep sharing it with us~love your art!
deb
or you could take the comments as proof that you are growing and changing. None of our work today looks like work of a couple years ago...and in my case that is a very good thing. I hope to be growing and changing forever.
I get your blog posts via email and had to come over and comment on this one because as a fairly new self-taught, I struggle with the issue of "finding my voice" a lot. I always tell myself that if I put the work out there for all to see, it IS going to get commented on...good or bad...someone always has something to say. The good thing is that I have found that you know when you are onto something good in a particular piece...those are the ones it does not matter so much what ANYONE says. If you like it, you like it. It's those paintings where you have self-doubts, and sometimes from the very start, that pose the problem and open us up for all kinds of "pain-inducing" (so-to-speak) comments. That's when I feel just like you do...those I-don't-want-to-show-ANYONE works! But oh...that's where the growth is taking place...on so many levels. In a big way. Keep painting...keep showing. :)
And I LOVE your painting here and so so many others you have done. These are the kind of paintings that make you want to go outside.
Methinks this is you with bells and whistles on ;o) Whether you have subdued colours and tones or sirens, high or low key they are still unmistakeably you. There is a lot of joy and celebration coming across in your work to me lately. Rock on!
I agree with you absolutely Loriann! The art way is a way of learning, searching and finding. I don´t like to make art with only one theme or only one medium or one style. I think that inspiration isn´t going that way - once you found what works and walk on the same path. I like your paintings are changing - they live with you. And your art is magnigificent.
Hi Deb and thanks so much for your support and kind words!
Hi anonymous,
Thanks for your comment...yes, I sure hope my work doesn't look the same as two years ago!
Thanks for taking the time to write!
Hi Lisa G,
My problem lies in the fact that I am never satisfied and the seeking is like the holy grail...so elusive. Thanks for commenting!
Hey Lisa L, me thinks you write a good comment! thanks so much for your support!
Thanks so much eM!
It's like Wolf Kahn said about the artist being like the major league pitcher- you practice throwing and throwing then you start to trust where the ball is going...not that it will always do what you want;-) I appreciate your comment!
I can relate and this is my first comment ever on a blog. I am touched by your honesty and willingness to share your experiments and that is why I started following you. Your sharing and continued work is going to reap great rewards to you during the process and thereafter. Keep on going, you are uncovering something wonderful.
Thanks so much anonymous! Thanks for taking the time to write a comment...and such kind words. I appreciate your support!
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