On creating a style: Two paths

I have been thinking about whether or not to be deliberate in developing a style. People I deeply respect, Alyson Stanfield and Juliette Aristides, represent two opinions. Artist marketing coach, Stanfield, suggests in her book I'd Rather Be In The Studio!, that an artist should consciously develop a style that is distinctive. This differentiates an artist's work from others resulting in a signature style.

Artist, teacher and atelier advocate, Aristides, suggests in her book Classical Painting Atelier, that an artist, being a unique individual, will with time and hard work, naturally develop a style that is as unique as that artist.

I am torn between the two. My gut reaction is that Stanfield’s approach is artificial. It just feels wrong to so deliberately make an effort to be different simply to stand out from the crowd. However, she might be describing exactly what many artists do naturally. And this approach could push an artist to try new approaches, chose new subjects, try new materials and possibly discover new things about themselves.

Aristide’s concept sounds appealing to the artiste in me. It is natural, almost organic, and appeals to a democratic belief in the individual. But it might also take an artist down an easy but ultimately less satisfying road. It could take a less self-assured artist down the road to imitation of masters and other artists of influence. That can happen when an artist needs the assurance that what they create is “acceptable” and "good" rather than unique.

I think the truth lies by weaving the two concepts around a central core of honest and systematic self examination. A brutally honest search for what the artist's most basic beliefs and desires to express are. This forces a daily self-examination of what and why the artist creates which in turn guides the exploration for what is unique to stay on track with those core beliefs. The result should be honestly and uniquely the artist's born from diligent practice of the craft.

Can art be taught & goal setting

Can art be taught?
One of my favorite artist/teachers, Richard Schmid, tells us that most anyone can learn to mix colors, and the dexterity it takes to make a brush stroke is less than writing ones signature. But is that all that it takes make art? Of course not.

A choir director I know, after working on piece for weeks, told his choir, "Now that we know the words and the notes it is time to make music." Making music and art are gifts that not everyone is blessed with.

About Goal Setting
Artist, Romare Beardon, said, "I don't believe in goals; goals are for a football team. An artist is just seeking what he might find." Now he might be on to something, but the problem is not setting goals. The problem is not being totally aware of the joy, pain, failures and triumphs which are part of the journey in reaching your goals. We also should exercise our freedom to change our goals as we make new discoveries along the way. It would be ashame, especially for artists, to be blinded to new paths simply to achieve a singular goal.

Jazz musician Arte Shaw said the most disappointing time of his life was when he achieved a goal. For those of us who need goals to motivate us, Arte's advise was to aim higher than you think is possible and savor every moment of the journey.

Thank you Alyson Stanfield at ArtBizBlog for prompting this post.

Artists! Protect Your Ownership Rights

Yes, again, this is repost. But artists and their friends cannot afford to be complacent while the ownership of their work is under attack.

Congress is considering a bill, U.S. Orphan Works Act of 2008, that would be devastating to visual artist and photographer copyright protections. The bill would require registration with fee for each image - photograph, painting, print, etc. It would also remove current "you create it, you own it" copyrights.

Congress is being pushed by large corporations who would benefit greatly by being able to "use" (read steal) orphaned (unregistered) works. Artists without deep pockets will be fee-ed out of business and/or loose the rights to their own work.

I just took action on this issue and hope you will too. You can take action by sending an email to your senators and representatives. There is more information and a simple prewritten email you can use at the Illustrators Partnership of America site - they send it to the right people, you even don't need to look your congress people up. Very Cool !