Being authentic as an artist - is that even relevant or possible? I hear this all the time. Then there is this imposter syndrome thing that someone made up. I mean centuries, years of wonderful, creative, artists have come and gone; (Monet, Picasso, Van Gough , Jean - Baptise Simeon , Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens) ) . I mean we have Cave Paintings that are older than any of us. Hasn’t everything been created and painted already ? Hasn’t every style of painting been created (modern, abstract, non-objective, still life, portraits, contemporary, oil painting, etc.) . How can we really be authentic?
I set out to discover this for myself through my own 30 year art-journey. The art I created in the beginning was so completely different than my style now. Back then my art was much tighter. If I am really stressed it still can be. I was also restricted on my palette. Now my color palette has completely shifted with much brighter colors now. I stopped being afraid of laying down lots of paint. This is the number one thing I see with beginners , they are afraid to lay down lots of paint. Just as life changes so do we as Artist’s. We would be stale or static if we didn’t. My design elements have shifted. I have found my niche in the market you would say. I used to use massive reds/golds and now I am into hot pinks, bright colors or the extreme neutral or pale palette colors and less still life and more abstract, experimental art. I still paint florals but they are abstract flowers. Honestly, for me, I am having much more fun now than in the beginning. I think I was a little uptight about my work style and work in general. I am much more looser and not really worried about being accepted by others or not. My Art and even your Art will not be popular with everyone. And this is really okay! You need to love it first.
I took all the classes - still do ; the workshops; about color, form, shape, design elements, sketching, experimental art, aqua media art, palette knife painting , mixed media art, oil painting, cold wax. Each artist that taught the class had their own style. I felt at each class that I was expected to paint like them which I found to be very difficult. It would always block me while painting. I try really hard when teaching to express that you need to use your own style and incorporate it into this new technique we are using today. I really try to be supportive. Because new artist’s beat themselves up enough in the beginning of their journey. If I did not lay down the stroke like the (art teacher) they would ultimately come over and correct it ! Rarely did they compliment . In truth ones needs to have thick skin as an artist. I learned that lesson right away. I also learned from those artist’s who would not share information about their art. You know stingy artists who think they have a secret, success, weapon is ridiculous. Guess what - there are very few secrets. What it takes is very hard work and perseverance. If you want to sell and improve you need to get yourself out there, net work, attend shows, create a body of work and paint daily to improve. It is the daily practice skills that make your art better. I don’t have a secret formula. Art can be soul searching. However, each stroke or mark you lay down is your own artistic DNA!
I mean I could never be a sincere copyist. I admire those who can. It would never look the same. I might get the color spot- on but somewhere on the canvas it would be different. I can’t help but have own unique style of painting seep into every single detail or cell on the canvas. A curved stroke here or line there where you didn’t expect it to be. I am highly intuitive - how can you teach that to someone. You can teach methods or techniques to open yourself up and get more creative. But with intuition you either have it or not.
I have been posting art-demo videos to you tube http://www.youtube.com/c/artbytsh and I get the most unusual/interesting comments. However, for each unkind word there is a kind, supportive person around. Additionally all this posting takes a great amount of time which takes you out of the studio from painting. It is necessary to stay balanced and budget your time wisely. My goal is to paint.
I really wish I had videos when I a beginner painting. I mean I bought videos (VCR) then Cd’s . This is why I like visiting art galleries ( Louvre, The Met, The National Gallery of Art ) I can spend a great amount of time looking at each stroke, gesture and really check out the art. I will look at it from all sides and even from the bottom. But I must say I like the instant gratification of seeing a complete finished piece of art on-line now. I also look at the products they use. I already have an arsenal of products that I like and don’t like. For example (liquitex) gesso feels like sandpaper - it’s rough not smooth. Sometimes its the look I am looking for. However, It will trash your brushes. I can silently critique what I like and don’t like about the painting. Or perhaps when they should have stopped instead of going on. (Easier said than done - when you are in that moment of creativity).
Which brings me to this - in order to be authentic as an Artist - You need to ;
Be accountable, (deliver what you said you would and be on time)
Be honest, (it’s your work or not). Simple as that. I see others copy my work all the time on social media. Usually it’s the newer artist’s. Should I be flattered?
Build trust with your viewer - do what you say and say what you mean . You may have a potential collector viewing your art.
Post on social media in a timely manner, if you don’t you will get lost in the crowd. By the way the Art crowd is huge and getting larger.
Choose proper tags and do a little research on the tags. However, people do not search you by tags. So don’t get consumed in that.
Create a professional web site and maintain it. (It takes time)
Name your own art . Please quit asking others to name your art (the art is yours) they didn’t paint it you did! They can always change the name when they buy it from you but it is still your art. Just give it a number if you can’t name it.
Learn about pricing. Set your price (with research, years you painted, your talent, your skill level, your products, your overhead, your market) by the square inch, by the hour, or size or something. I created a spread sheet of my pricing and I review this every single year. I mean who else is going to give me a raise if I don’t increase pricing. Finally, the cost of art products go up each year. I am always amazed when I see online- someone asks “ just how much should I ask for this piece?” (what?? are you kidding? ) if you need to ask that you probably shouldn’t be selling your art on social media. Sorry, but many new artists can be really naïve at times.
Be authentic; in your art style, to yourself, to your written words, to your painting. Know why you create art be true to you with your design elements , palette colors and style. I have an artist that follows me on social media , all she does is copy my stuff and change the colors. It is so sad that she has no innate skill or talent but to just copy others. I can tell she copies. BTW she never misses one of my posts I guess I give her lots of inspiration. We keep photographic records. You should learn about (c) copyrights its mine as soon as I created it .
Stop giveaways. I’ve done my own share of them. They are against the rules of social media. Please check the rules about posting. You still have to stand in line at the post office, pay for postage, package it up, to give somebody something they may or may not appreciate it. You don’t get more sales by doing this. What you do is train that select group of people that always just want free stuff. They never buy regardless. But if it makes you feel good, continue - on. Life is all about choices. You are your own art manager, business owner.
Stop the blah blah blah - blow-horn! Online classes where the instructor speaks for 1.5 hours and said really nothing of value. They say the same things over and over again. They just like to hear themselves speak. However, you can learn from these people -what - not to do in your own class! Please don’t put me in a coma if I listen to you online.
Word of the day - Plagiarism - I learned this concept in college. This is when you copy, or steal, something that has been created or written by another person and claim it as your own. It is dishonest and deceitful. It can get you thrown out of a class/school. It makes you lose creditably as an artist. You need to give credit where credit is due to the person that created the art or the work of art or the written form or who inspired you. This includes stealing someone’s bio!
Soap box done! Being authentic takes work. You can learn from the great masters but create your own style. Keep reading and studying artistic methods. Stretch above and beyond with your own Art. All art is not a homerun. Years of failures and experiments. Take risks and cross the line and play. Be authentic, stay authentic and creative whether you paint knit, sew, create, cook or do woodworking. You all create something that is valuable. Get your own style. It will show.
/sunny
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