Creation as an action doesn't care if you're a principle, an extra or a passive audience participant. Art will indifferently leave you in a cloud of dust with a dry mouth full. That's not to say you can't choose your roll, just know it's not a dress rehearsal because you need to give a grand performance. It's no mystery that it takes persistent effort, that's when it becomes a life or death profession. What's the first thing you think of in the morning besides paying homage to the White Porcelain God? If you haven't answered the art you burned the Midnight Oil upon, then you may not have what it takes to be an true artist. Though perhaps you need to think about your commitment, make revisions or redouble your efforts. Because in all honesty making art is a Herculean Task. The Greeks didn't call a Heroes Adventure a "Labor" for nothing, it's because it too a great ordeal to achieve. Art takes gusto "Guts" that's right it's not just some namby-pamby world of just expressing oneself. Naturally it should be fun but that's an eventual byproduct of busting ones ass. In some respects there should be an artists boot-camp or proving ground. Does it sound like warfare? It certainly is a constant battle with the trenches full of dilettantes. Brushes, chisels or whichever tools of preference are the weapons against the indolence and distractions that plague daily creativity. Every effort made towards art is cumulative, find the path even if you can't clearly see the way. Clarity is found in the process or action of doing "IT." Berating the self for not being consistent or focused elsewhere is counter productive. Really all it means is redouble your efforts next time around. Healthy attitudes and understanding how it all fits in to the overall process is keen. These facts are the cornerstone of the Artful Spirit, a pinch of old fashion wisdom definitely needs to be part of the foundation. Okay, that's enough of a cyber pep talk...go make some art and prove someone wrong.
With Bounteous Cheer,
Gothic Hangman
Friday, January 17, 2014
Thursday, January 16, 2014
BUILT TO LAST IMAGES
Analysis of why certain images endure or pervade the ages can be an ongoing speculation. One certainty is that artists typically apprenticed under a master of some merit. While the guild system may seem archaic by some standards, it was a place that weeded out arbitrary abilities. Leonardo said "It is a sorry student that doesn't surpass his master." The principle of standing on the shoulders of giants was a paragon virtue in the Renaissance. Seldom do artists of this day and age learn their craft with such assiduousness. It takes an inordinate amount of time to develop craft and technique, it's certainly akin to getting a PHD or similar higher education. With such consistent striving and diligence in mind, artists need to constantly seek self improvement. Pushing ones boundaries goes far beyond just mere self expression, without measurable technique such things are arbitrary at best. There is such an economic pressure that besets the entire artistic process. Turning it out so to speak can compromise ones natural & perpetual growth. Artists that have the fortune to become known may become pigeonholed into a niche that becomes mere stagnation. The unfolding process is somewhat of a luxury, though one given enough undue time and perseverance it flourishes.
Timing is everything, the foible can add up to a sum of greatness or extreme folly. Though I've always believed it's better to create one Mona Lisa as opposed to a hundred minor works. That also is not to suggest that one replicates a previous masterwork. We have had 500 years and shifting changes in art and popular culture. There is still a large something to be gleaned through the Old Masters. One such lesson is sticking to ones purest vision, though all the honesty in the world doesn't in and of itself improve technique. Plato said "Know thy self." it certainly is an axiom for the ages. Just following popular culture doesn't ensure art that will be remember like those of a bygone age. What is that elusive ingredient that spans the epochs? Certainly it's a question worth asking of oneself concurrently during the heroes journey. Always I do also believe in room for the ingredient of rebellion to such ideas. Let me offer that sometimes one needs to stand on the shoulder of giants...just to piss on their necks.
With Bad Intentions Always,
Gothic Hangman
Timing is everything, the foible can add up to a sum of greatness or extreme folly. Though I've always believed it's better to create one Mona Lisa as opposed to a hundred minor works. That also is not to suggest that one replicates a previous masterwork. We have had 500 years and shifting changes in art and popular culture. There is still a large something to be gleaned through the Old Masters. One such lesson is sticking to ones purest vision, though all the honesty in the world doesn't in and of itself improve technique. Plato said "Know thy self." it certainly is an axiom for the ages. Just following popular culture doesn't ensure art that will be remember like those of a bygone age. What is that elusive ingredient that spans the epochs? Certainly it's a question worth asking of oneself concurrently during the heroes journey. Always I do also believe in room for the ingredient of rebellion to such ideas. Let me offer that sometimes one needs to stand on the shoulder of giants...just to piss on their necks.
With Bad Intentions Always,
Gothic Hangman
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