Creating Art for Succesful Publication
It is a tired and worn cliche that art is subjective.
To some Picasso is simply the last word in art, and to others he is a mere scribbler who needed his eyesight tested. What makes his art adored by millions and sell for millions. Why is Monet so revered and his art reproduced so prolifically. All artists whose works grace the covers of magazines, cards, flower pots, notelets and a million other products that litter our lives and walls, all possess certain key attributes that sets them apart. Passion, Confidence bordering sometimes on the edge of arrogance,and unwavering self belief.
A great artist never paints doubts. They see, they visualise, they conceptualise, they paint...without thought that it is not acceptable or that it is not worthy of them. What they see before them is not abstract or off the wall, or even nice and homely. What they see is their heart, their being, the very essence of whatever emotion or idea they are trying to convey to the rest of us. They have confidence that knows no bounds. It matters not the subject matter or the style in which they paint, or for that matter the level of skill they possess. All that matters is that belief in themselves, in their own ability that what they are laying down on canvas, is as perfect as it can ever be in an imperfect world.
No matter what you decide to paint, or how good your interpretation of the subject matter is, the chances of it selling are dependent entirely on finding an editor who likes it as much as you. Like attracts like. Love attracts love, and unfortunately, indifference attracts indifference.
Your heart, soul and your passion must be in your work so much that it weaves itself into the canvas, and is instantly recognisable and felt by whoever looks at it, glances at it or even walks by it and starts to suddenly feel better about things, but doesn't know why. Monet, Picasso, Constable, Canaletto Michaelangelo, and countless others all had that passion and energy that was transferred into their work. It is an emotion that is magnetic and attaches to or attracts those of a like mind, that heartily identify with not only the subject, but the artists emotion at the time he painted it.
When your portfolio lands on the editors desk, and she/he starts rummaging through the pages of photos or clicks from one image to the next on your CD, they are looking not only for technique, appropriate subject matter, cuteness or even something that is a bit different, they are looking for emotion. Good editors go by feeling. This persons art feels good, let's give them a try...they can feel the passion, they can feel the artists confidence and assuredness in their style, which is why many artists (but not all) that are picked to have their work reproduced, have continuing success. The editors start by making a short list of images they like the look of, then slowly they start to whittle them down, discarding this one then that one until they end up with the ones they feel happiest with and think will sell the most. Editors who are going to invest in an artist, want to feel that the artist will be able to deliver time and again. Five minutes talking to any artist will tell an editor or art buyer what the artist thinks of his/her own work, and wether they will be worth the expense.
If you are not enthusiastic and totally self absorbed and obsessed by your own work and ability,
..in a nice way naturally, lets not cut our ears off or have to call for the men in white coats just yet...
...the editor will have doubts that you can be trusted to be given work that needs to completed on time, and to the same standard of the work that they are reviewing. Most artists fall by the wayside not because they do not have the talent, skill or the stamina to create publishable art... they fall because their heart is not really in it. They lack that final drive inside that pushes those of sometimes only moderate skill,to achieve greatness.
In the end, art is only ever opinion. To me there is no good art or bad art...there is only art you like or don't like. I have seen technically brilliant art that has taken the artist months to complete, which has no heart or any redeeming feature that would make me want to buy it and hang it on my wall. Like everything it will attract those of a like mind, who identify with it at the time of viewing, which can result in a sale. But it is a fleeting attraction, because your brain has no continuing payoff every time it looks at it. Initially it might have been a buzz that it was by a certain artist and was cheaper than usual, or it was completely different than anything you have seen before, or since. But unless you buy something, or more importantly, create something with heartfelt passion, then the novelty soon fades, both to you and the viewer.
I have also seen art that has been hastily drawn on anything to hand, that is now a treasured object, and will be as loved and as fresh in a hundred years as it is now. The great test is always how long a piece remains on the wall after purchase. Apart from a few pieces we change from room to room sometimes when we want to freshen things up a bit, most of the art we have on the walls is old, spotted and dogeared, but much loved. Which art do you create.
My art can be seen at http://www.heartnouveau.org
Geoff Thornley has been a professional artist for ten years and has numerous designs published as greeting cards world-wide. He teaches both novice and advanced students in the application of acrylic and in how to make the most of it, plus saving money in the process, especially for those just starting out in art. He lives in Kent, England.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Thornley
To some Picasso is simply the last word in art, and to others he is a mere scribbler who needed his eyesight tested. What makes his art adored by millions and sell for millions. Why is Monet so revered and his art reproduced so prolifically. All artists whose works grace the covers of magazines, cards, flower pots, notelets and a million other products that litter our lives and walls, all possess certain key attributes that sets them apart. Passion, Confidence bordering sometimes on the edge of arrogance,and unwavering self belief.
A great artist never paints doubts. They see, they visualise, they conceptualise, they paint...without thought that it is not acceptable or that it is not worthy of them. What they see before them is not abstract or off the wall, or even nice and homely. What they see is their heart, their being, the very essence of whatever emotion or idea they are trying to convey to the rest of us. They have confidence that knows no bounds. It matters not the subject matter or the style in which they paint, or for that matter the level of skill they possess. All that matters is that belief in themselves, in their own ability that what they are laying down on canvas, is as perfect as it can ever be in an imperfect world.
No matter what you decide to paint, or how good your interpretation of the subject matter is, the chances of it selling are dependent entirely on finding an editor who likes it as much as you. Like attracts like. Love attracts love, and unfortunately, indifference attracts indifference.
Your heart, soul and your passion must be in your work so much that it weaves itself into the canvas, and is instantly recognisable and felt by whoever looks at it, glances at it or even walks by it and starts to suddenly feel better about things, but doesn't know why. Monet, Picasso, Constable, Canaletto Michaelangelo, and countless others all had that passion and energy that was transferred into their work. It is an emotion that is magnetic and attaches to or attracts those of a like mind, that heartily identify with not only the subject, but the artists emotion at the time he painted it.
When your portfolio lands on the editors desk, and she/he starts rummaging through the pages of photos or clicks from one image to the next on your CD, they are looking not only for technique, appropriate subject matter, cuteness or even something that is a bit different, they are looking for emotion. Good editors go by feeling. This persons art feels good, let's give them a try...they can feel the passion, they can feel the artists confidence and assuredness in their style, which is why many artists (but not all) that are picked to have their work reproduced, have continuing success. The editors start by making a short list of images they like the look of, then slowly they start to whittle them down, discarding this one then that one until they end up with the ones they feel happiest with and think will sell the most. Editors who are going to invest in an artist, want to feel that the artist will be able to deliver time and again. Five minutes talking to any artist will tell an editor or art buyer what the artist thinks of his/her own work, and wether they will be worth the expense.
If you are not enthusiastic and totally self absorbed and obsessed by your own work and ability,
..in a nice way naturally, lets not cut our ears off or have to call for the men in white coats just yet...
...the editor will have doubts that you can be trusted to be given work that needs to completed on time, and to the same standard of the work that they are reviewing. Most artists fall by the wayside not because they do not have the talent, skill or the stamina to create publishable art... they fall because their heart is not really in it. They lack that final drive inside that pushes those of sometimes only moderate skill,to achieve greatness.
In the end, art is only ever opinion. To me there is no good art or bad art...there is only art you like or don't like. I have seen technically brilliant art that has taken the artist months to complete, which has no heart or any redeeming feature that would make me want to buy it and hang it on my wall. Like everything it will attract those of a like mind, who identify with it at the time of viewing, which can result in a sale. But it is a fleeting attraction, because your brain has no continuing payoff every time it looks at it. Initially it might have been a buzz that it was by a certain artist and was cheaper than usual, or it was completely different than anything you have seen before, or since. But unless you buy something, or more importantly, create something with heartfelt passion, then the novelty soon fades, both to you and the viewer.
I have also seen art that has been hastily drawn on anything to hand, that is now a treasured object, and will be as loved and as fresh in a hundred years as it is now. The great test is always how long a piece remains on the wall after purchase. Apart from a few pieces we change from room to room sometimes when we want to freshen things up a bit, most of the art we have on the walls is old, spotted and dogeared, but much loved. Which art do you create.
My art can be seen at http://www.heartnouveau.org
Geoff Thornley has been a professional artist for ten years and has numerous designs published as greeting cards world-wide. He teaches both novice and advanced students in the application of acrylic and in how to make the most of it, plus saving money in the process, especially for those just starting out in art. He lives in Kent, England.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Thornley
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