I find that I must make myself create art. It is not a compulsion, but a discipline. Many of the illustrators, painters, and artists that I know react the same way. I love drawing in my sketchbook, creating ideas, observing, etc., because it is for me (although I choose to share my sketchbooks with others). They are meant to be utilitarian.
I seem to want to do anything but start a painting: that's the hard part. I know that each time I work, I am in for a battle. Every successful painting that I have created has gone through an "ugly" stage. If it comes out on the other side, then it has passed the test of trial by fire. If it does not come out of this ugly stage, then it is a failure. This happens more than I would like to admit. Time is no friend of mine...
A blank canvas means judgement, especially if the work has an application. I know that others will see the work, good or bad. Getting myself into the studio takes true will power, and I find that establishing some kind of schedule can be of some assistance. I used to keep office hours when my studio was outside of the house. Nowadays, my studio is in my home, and the line between personal life and work is blurry indeed.
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8 comments:
thanks for sharing that, that was definitely encouraging to hear and I know once graduation hits, some form of structure is the only way I'm going to keep on chugging consistently. Im finding thats what works best for me right now. Thanks again Sterling!
Hello, Sterling. My name is Chris, and I could not agree more. It takes great discipline to make yourself create art, especially when one works in the home. But do you not find it to be a good thing? I do love being able to work anytime or all of the time. It does "blur the line" so that one's work becomes one's life (if that makes sense). Enjoy the Day.
Hello, Sterling. I could not agree more. Working from home does take a great deal of discipline. But do you not see the "blurring" of the personal life and the work to be a good thing? I personally love the option of working all day/night. The combination of both living and working in the same place makes the two into one entity where the work IS the life and vice versa. Its awesome. Enjoy the Day.
Hey Sterling, Greg Dechow here--from the '07 Academy. I have to say you're post seems very relevant to my experience post-graduation. It has been interesting not having teachers giving me assignments and directing me. Now I am finding out what motivates me to do art and realizing I never really did "personal work" in school.
It truly is an eye opening experience, however, I think the Academy prepared me for it.
Since graduation I've been more productive and more interested in my own work than ever. Instead of looking to teachers and other students for constant assistance; I am looking inward and finding out what it is I truly enjoy in art. It's been an incredible experience and I hope to find something in my work that satisfies me while still being marketable.
As you mention the "discipline" required is astonishing. I'm finding that art--though it is often touted as spur of the moment or spontaneous--requires a strict schedule and a lot of effort to make yourself be productive.
Although I have to say that as a student, starting a painting is perhaps the most interesting part for me. It seems like there is so much for me to learn and I am eager to see what will happen with each painting, good or bad.
Well, thought I'd share my experiences. I really enjoy and appreciate this blog; as a fresh out-of-school "newbie," it is very inspiring.
Thanks so much for starting this blog, Sterling! I find myself reflected in many of your words.
I find that fear of failure, or some kind of expectation that comes with creating a piece of art, makes me put off creating finished pieces indefinitely..
Hey Sterling, I'm in illustration at College for Creative Studies, and I am very inspired by your work. I really appreciate the advice blog, and I just wanted to say thanks.
- Vince Joy
m- I like to believe that those feelings are universal. We try to resolve too many problems in our head, and as a result, we suffer a type of paralysis that keeps us from "doing". We put an immense amount of pressure on ourselves, and the truth is that we can only hope to make images one day that have enough of an impact on other people to make them care about something. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
vince- Thank you for your post. The comments, questions, and dialog are what will keep me sharing. Thanks for taking the time.
Chris- sorry for the belated reply. Somehow the blog posts fell out of sequence. In regards to your question- I do enjoy the blurring of life, and art, career, etc. I find myself having to create parameters to be fair to my wife, friends, family, and most importantly to myself. I found that an open ended, always on personality (such as mine), can be maddening to others . Making a day for a loved one here and there goes a long ways. Taking initiative to make some time for interests other than art makes for a more interesting person, and it may just prolong an artists life (so that they can make more art)...
I have always felt that there are two parts to me (maybe more): the artist, and the athlete. More poetically, the mental, and the physical. I lean to one extreme or the other. There are periods of time where I do nothing but make art. I'm driven, and I can't turn it off. I tend to sleep very little during this time, and I am not on any sort of schedule. This state stands in direct contrast to any type of physical health. I spend long hours sitting down, staring at paintings, or my laptop. Conversely, when I begin focusing on my physical health, I do this almost at the exclusion of making art.
I'm all or nothing, and I am always striving to find some sort of balance in my life.
Greg-It's great to hear from you. I still enjoy the process of painting, and often, once I've "soiled" the canvas with a mark or two, I switch over and begin reacting. That first mark isn't relative to anything, and it always feels so isolated. Maybe I need to remember this with the next piece that I do...
I believe that imagery should always begin with text (and this will be the beginning of my next post)
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