When we start a new project or start learning a new skill, we want to become good at it. We do not necessarily want to make a profession out of it but being good makes sense. If we become outstanding, then the profession will make itself out of us 🙂 How important it is for artists who are just starting to understand what they are interested to express? How important for them to know who they are in art? Simple answer: it is crucial.
If you get it, you can stop reading now and if not, if you let me try to convince you otherwise.
If you have a coherent grip on what you are creating and why you are creating you will be able to express what you want much better. Making art by doing all sorts of different projects is an awesome way of exploring yourself but if all the different project are connected with one idea of seeking your truth, or expressing your life then all of a sudden instead of looking at a bunch of unconnected images that we see in amounts way beyond what we can enjoy on a daily basis, we start seeing a story. Once we see a story, we can connect to it. It might be a story of light changing, it might be a story of life events or people. It is still all stories. And a story is the way for a human being to enjoy and connect.
If people got interested in you, they want to know what you are up to, and they want to know why on earth you are painting what you are painting. If your plan is never to show anything to anyone, then you can avoid thinking about that but if your plan is to share then the earlier you start thinking, the better. By the way, can you imagine a chef who cooks and never shares his food with anyone? It makes no sense, right? Why do we think that creating and not sharing is ok then? It is all the same. Creation of food is the same as creation of the art piece. The energy of creation is the same so why the attitude is different? Sharing is a part of a human experience. We punish by isolating humans from humans!
So ask yourself, what and why you want to create. What fascinates you? What ideas are dear to your heart? What can you not stand? Then while still experimenting with art and expression go towards the meaning behind your work. Even the thought ” I am creative because I am creative” is not good enough. The big secret is “we all are.” Why and how of you is what is interesting to me. So tell me that. Tell me that in the description of your art, tell me in the name of your painting, tell me the story.
I read about an experiment. The artist showed the same piece with two different descriptions. One was about his personal story connected to the painting, and another one was about some technical stuff with the blues, etc. Same painting and totally different reaction. The first one had questions and generated interest in his work and desire to buy. The second one generated nothing. Nothing. What do you think is in store in terms of success for painting that have no information?
Look at the famous artists and art. The famous pieces have a lot of stories around them. Centuries ago, when art was somewhat limited, and photography was not there, maybe it was a tiny bit easier to get the interest by the quality of the work only but this time is gone. The world is loud and crowded. Plenty of great art and artists and there is still only your crowd and your following. It is only yours; you just need to help them find you.
So when is a good time to start contemplating about your work. It is now. It is now if you are just taking your first art lessons. The progress will be faster, and you will be satisfied with the process. Happy accidents in art happen all the time, but often they create the incompletion that you can not repeat that success. Awareness is your solution. These are the questoins that you might want to think about:
1. What does the process of making art mean to you?
2. How do you choose the ideas for your paintings?
3. How do you decide on your composition?
4. When do you know you are done?
5. When does your next painting start?
Start explaining what you are doing to others. This will also make it much more clear to you. The better you understand your process, the better you will be able to apply it.
If you are at a loss on where to start, please just write down everything that comes to your mind about your art, your process of creation, your current work, events in your life. Do not try to judge what you are writing. Let it go. Forget about your grammar and style. You will go back and edit it later, but the process itself will help you discover what you are in art, who you are as an artist. This will bring fulfillment and it is a must if you ever want to have a commercial success.
More questions for you:
1. What starts the process?
2. Is it a regular activity or spontaneous? If it is spontaneous what starts the inspiration?
3. Do you have any rituals?
4. How do you set up your painting area?
5. How does your art evolve?
6. Do you know every detail before you start painting, or it changes in a process?
7. Are there connections between your different pieces?