As Artists, we help others see. The world is waiting for our vision. It isn’t obtained by just painting pictures, as much as bringing this depth from within our self and helping others see beyond what the viewer already sees. If we allow our self to go deeper and express in such a way, the viewer will believe they have seen it as well. Our job is to be the poet, the preacher, to enhance the vibration of the world by our creations. We are the interpreters.
An artist asked me, “what inspires you to paint?” It is beauty of nature for sure, but as artists we have the opportunity to see beauty in the mundane. As Hawthorne says “it is so much greater to make much out of little than to make little out of much-better to make a big thing out of a little subject than to make a little thing out of a big one”.
Learning does not make the artist as much as practice and getting in tune with your voice and expression. The teacher is there to inspire. Be yourself, be true to yourself as you paint. Don’t be in competition with others. Listen to your voice. When you are free with no thoughts and lost all concept of time, you are one with the painting and are connecting to a deeper level of expression. We are always students. I will always be a student. It is important to always be instilled with curiosity and wonder. The more I learn to see, the better artist I will be. It is important, when you learn from others, to keep your originality, to not be clones of your teacher, but to find your inner voice, notice your assets and allow yourself to shine in your own way.
What is unique about your Artist voice, how is it expressed in your creating?
Wonderful post Janet! Lots to think about here, thanks.
That’s a tough one. To express.
I try not to think that way while I am painting, but when I find it successful, it has a directness, a grittiness, a sense of wonder, a sense of place or time.
Not much. but It’s a start.
Peter
Hi Pete, that isn’t so much a thought while painting, but what is your nature while painting, being a colorist, loving space, an unusual sense of scale, you did mention a few in your comment. You will notice a trend and common thread in your work, something that has been with you from the very beginning. You might want to look at your older work and see how it relates to what you are creating now. Thank you so much for your comment.
Hi Janet, I was just looking for some interpretation of “artist vision” this morning, and this is where googling those words led me. I love this…. these are words I want to remember. You have expressed a thought that I have been reaching for and hadn’t found the words.
“Our job is to be the poet, the preacher, to enhance the vibration of the world by our creations. We are the interpreters.”
You have no idea how much those words set me free.