Artsy Fartsy.
Jasper Johns photo taken at the MOMA in March.And on another note, I have been reading two books (which I’ll write about some other time when I actually finish them) that speak on the subjects of artistry, creativity, and culture.
So because of reading these books and because of a writing project I’m doing, I’ve had these topics on the brain lately. As such, I dipped into the introduction of The Artist's Way, a book I read years ago, but remembered the other day in a conversation.
This part stuck out to me:
“No matter what your age or your life path,
whether making art is your career or your
hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too egotistical
or too selfish or too silly to work on your creativity.”
whether making art is your career or your
hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too egotistical
or too selfish or too silly to work on your creativity.”
--The Artist’s Way
The concept behind this book is that everyone is an artist. In different ways. With different mediums. We are all practicing the art of creative living.
This makes sense to me.
However, it's often quite difficult to find that creative living in the midst of compulsory living. Or, in other words, it's hard to find the art smack in the middle of all the crap we have to do.
So I was thinking about this when I stumbled across the infamous Superhero Journal tonight.
And of course the first entry was about this very thing.
“I've always had an aversion to saying that I am an artist... It somehow sounds pretentious to me. I suppose I don't believe it is an exclusive thing. I believe that everyone is an artist in their own way. I prefer to say that I am a creative person or that I am somethihng specific like a painter or a photographer. If I had to define it, I would say that it is about finding our unique voice. We all have a voice that is meant to say something special. It is a practice, a discipline, and a lifelong pursuit to get out of our own way and let that voice come through.”
This seems to be the theme of the day.
So what do you think? Do you think we’re all artists? And, on a related note, what inspires you? What books, music, blogs, exercise, art, science, space? What helps your voice come through?
posted by Girl con Queso at 12:17 AM
20 Comments:
I don't really think of myself as an artist, no.
Interesting proposition though...
I just ordered a superhero necklace, finally, last week. :) I suspect I will find it inspiring!
I know it's the ultimate cliche to say so, but my biggest inspiration is my kids. They still think anything is possible. It's a great reminder.
I rather do think that everyone is an artist, somehow, someway. It's in the taking care to do things just so, whether crafting a letter/email/blog post, or dicing an onion, or weeding the garden, or yes, knitting a hat.
I think there is a difference between someone being creative, and someone being an artist. A creative person is someone who actively uses and engages their right brain, but an artist is someone who disciplines their creativity and intentionally uses their craft to express themselves. Just because someone dabbles in an instrument or painting does not make them an artist, in my opinion.
My dream is to put Artist on my tax return.
I do think everyone is an artist in the way that when you get to know any person, you will find that they are gifted at something in an extraordinary way.
I love many, many artists and have found so many others through Etsy and the blogs, which has been inspiring and enlightening.
For my own art, I want it to always be hopeful and bright.. I love spring gardens with riotously giddy bright colors. I love the artist Raoul Dufy, one happy painter, once said when showing one of his paintings to friends, "I can only give you a fraction of my inward joy!"
I agree with Padrino. Since I am late for a meeting, I will allow "ditto" to suffice for now!!
Creatively, lately I like angry chicken and beadlust. I like working with fabric, mostly wool felt, and paper. Paper flowers, wrapping paper, really gorgeous handmade papers. When I see this kind of stuff I get all giddy and want to create.
I heart Superhero Journal as well. And I have the same issues as she does calling myself an artist. I realize it's silly, but in my head, only fine artists (painters, sculptors, printmakers) are artists. I refer to musicians as artists sometimes, but I don't like it.
I like the questions you've asked. No, I don't think we're all artists. I guess I see an artist as specializing and really fine-tuning their talents. But I do think we all dabble in art, just not to the extent of an artist. Being a mom is my inspiration. I see things now like I've never seen them before. I love watching specials on the Food Network like cake decorating contests or gingerbread house contests. I think that stuff is way cool art!
I definitely don't think of myself as an artist or a writer. Yes, I do write a blog and, yes, I have to use my creativity to come up with new entries----but it does feel pretentuous for me to say, "I'm a writer" when the only thing I produce is a blog. My kids and their creative projects, though---heck yeah, that is art!
There is a bit of an artist in everyone, we just express it differently.
I quilt, but I never thought of it as art because I (generally) follow someone else's pattern. But I choose the fabrics, the theme and the style. And when I realized I need to quilt not just to have one thing that doesn't get undone by the end of the day but also to create, I finally understood how quilting is my art.
My 11-year-old daughter likes to build things out of junk. Games, doll-house type rooms, a mini bowling alley. I think it's the artist in her finding a way to create.
Anyway, great post. Food for thought. That's always good.
Oops, here's the paper link
Yeah, I'm with kcg. I'd love to call myself an artist, but I'm a total hack. We leave off the second half of the cliche all the time; master of none is supposed to follow jack of all trades.
I asked two different painters I know if their art was impacted by what song they listen to as they paint; both say yes. One says she looks for songs that fit her mood, one says she puts her ipod on shuffle and starts painting.
Bones, I love that concept. What songs do they listen to to insire them?
Great insights people. But I still believe you're all artists.
I love The Artist's Way! My brother/musician recommended it to me a year ago and its really changed the way I look at my creative endeavors. I also highly recomment The Creative Habit. It gets to the brass tacks of just doing it.
I find there's nothing more inspirational than seeing a piece of art, whether it's a painting, a photo, a quilt, a band, etc LIVE and UNFILTERED (no picture of the original, print of the original, etc). The Tate Modern had me high for days!
I love to listen to The Police, The Shins, U2, Firehose, etc when painting, but something more mellow when sketching or writing like Annie Lennox or Shawn Colvin. I do an exercise with my art students to help them "discover" which music helps them the most. They can identify it quickly and easily!
One of the artists you may know.. Leslie from the old school IJM crowd. I remember her specifically saying U2 and Sarah McLaughlin, but I can't remember others that she mentioned.
OH and Ani DiFranco. I don't specifically remember her mentioning Ani, but I went to an Ani concert with her, so I feel confident adding her in there, too. (dammit.. I just realized I admitted to paying to see an Ani DiFranco concert.)
bones--ani is my idol! i'll pay to see her any day.
and i'm totally on the we-are-all-artists page if that means we are all intrinsically creative and have the potential to live artful, original lives.
but calling yourself an artist is tricky--i could write a novel, so maybe i'll just post a response on my own blog instead of cluttering up the comments.
No, because I am most definitely not an artist. I lack that whole spatial/visual thing. My husband and kids have that ability to translate the abstract into the physical.
Creating and living are intimately connected. Get to know your artist and do something about it. Sometimes this can stir up uncomfortable feelings. For example, last night got out my pencils and started drawing. I haven't done this in a long while and I had to keep telling my left brain to stay out of it with thoughts of "oooo, that's not right, nope that's wrong" etc. You know what I'm talking about. But I was just sketching, playing, practicing! The best thing is to keep at it, keep your creativity alive.
I found the Artist's Way to be full of ways to do something about the creative life we dream about. Also by Julia Cameron is The Right to Write, where she argues that we are not only all artists, but that we are all writers. ... Another thing to think about.
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