Xaghra, 2001 (Private collection).
Welcome to my second post. I will try to keep it short as possible. Today I am writing about how it feels like to be an artist. Well, personally I consider art as a vocation rather than as an occupation. One starts at a relatively young age showing interest in exploring different ways of expressing feelings and emotions. One might decide to further his/her art education, but not necessarily. Some talented people out there are self-taught.
A key word for success is persistence. Eventual success is about belief in one's own capabilities. Love for art has to be intrinsic and it is about being positive about the progress being made day by day. Having one's creative output loved by others can boost one's own self-esteem but this is not imperative, especially at an early stage of development. It's true, there are some constraints. For instance, during the formative stage it becomes necessary to attract an audience and possibly access the collectors' market. This will happen slowly and one should not be discouraged by the highly competitive scenario out there. Belief in one's own potential together with consistency in one's own practice are synonymous with success, even if the latter might take time to achieve.
Another necessary requisite is regular practice, and as the saying goes: practice makes perfect. One should ideally visit the art studio everyday even when motivation is at it's low. On unproductive days one might decide to prepare a canvas or do some sketches for future works. Regular practice distinguishes artists from those who are referred to as Sunday painters.
This leads me to the third and final requisite to be an effective artist. Just be yourself is the operative motto. Joan Miro used to say that kids create the most beautiful work simply because their creations are spontaneous, full of vitality and devoid of expectations. Unfortunately we adults tend to judge our work and that of other people. Kids don't do that; they are absorbed by their own world and don't compare their drawings or paintings with those of others. That's what being an artist is all about: trying to be passionate and daring and avoid caring about being judged by others.
One should be proud of what s/he does and of his/her past commitments. The image above illustrates a painting I did years ago and which was indicative towards a new stylistic direction. Some of the traits are still recognisable in the work I do nowadays. Our past efforts define us today. It's important to honor our past as looking back on the past allows us to recognise the relevance of what we are and do today.
Hope you enjoyed reading my post. If you have something to say or add to it you are most welcome to leave a comment below.
Welcome to my second post. I will try to keep it short as possible. Today I am writing about how it feels like to be an artist. Well, personally I consider art as a vocation rather than as an occupation. One starts at a relatively young age showing interest in exploring different ways of expressing feelings and emotions. One might decide to further his/her art education, but not necessarily. Some talented people out there are self-taught.
A key word for success is persistence. Eventual success is about belief in one's own capabilities. Love for art has to be intrinsic and it is about being positive about the progress being made day by day. Having one's creative output loved by others can boost one's own self-esteem but this is not imperative, especially at an early stage of development. It's true, there are some constraints. For instance, during the formative stage it becomes necessary to attract an audience and possibly access the collectors' market. This will happen slowly and one should not be discouraged by the highly competitive scenario out there. Belief in one's own potential together with consistency in one's own practice are synonymous with success, even if the latter might take time to achieve.
Another necessary requisite is regular practice, and as the saying goes: practice makes perfect. One should ideally visit the art studio everyday even when motivation is at it's low. On unproductive days one might decide to prepare a canvas or do some sketches for future works. Regular practice distinguishes artists from those who are referred to as Sunday painters.
This leads me to the third and final requisite to be an effective artist. Just be yourself is the operative motto. Joan Miro used to say that kids create the most beautiful work simply because their creations are spontaneous, full of vitality and devoid of expectations. Unfortunately we adults tend to judge our work and that of other people. Kids don't do that; they are absorbed by their own world and don't compare their drawings or paintings with those of others. That's what being an artist is all about: trying to be passionate and daring and avoid caring about being judged by others.
One should be proud of what s/he does and of his/her past commitments. The image above illustrates a painting I did years ago and which was indicative towards a new stylistic direction. Some of the traits are still recognisable in the work I do nowadays. Our past efforts define us today. It's important to honor our past as looking back on the past allows us to recognise the relevance of what we are and do today.
Hope you enjoyed reading my post. If you have something to say or add to it you are most welcome to leave a comment below.
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