Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Stay True to your Own Unique Path and Style.

"The Anatomization of the Laws of Chess" from my
Chess Art Drawing Collection.
Nothing important in this world ever took shape without a little risk involved. The same holds true for an artist who searches deep within and explores the heights of their personal visions. However risky and crazy these visions may be to the outside world, no worthwhile and innovative break through has taken place without someone taking a complete nose dive off the cliff of what is considered normal and plunging head first into a deep ocean of unknown ground and darkness. If they survive, they will have a great story to tell and the inspiration and courage gained from it is priceless. When I sit down to create a work of art, the thought of creating work for someone else rather than my own unique vision of the world never crosses my mind. I have never considered compromising my artistic integrity for the sake of what could be more popular or what could be considered the "trend" of the day. I believe if you stick to your style and remain true to yourself, the rewards will far outweigh the risks!

If we look at past artist's who have struggled to make a big difference in terms of their art surviving the test of time, a consistent trend seems to be these figures in art stayed the course with their approach, even in the face of critical adversity, whether friendly or worldly. Some examples that pop into my mind are Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, where at the time, his approach was considered radical to a degree and the immense complexity of color and forms dancing around the ceiling made way for one of the most influential works of art ever created. I also recall the struggle Pissaro went through (and the impressionists), where his pointillist technique never caught any attention at first, even though he had children to feed and became poor for a while, he sacrificed because he believed in himself and his vision so much (some to this day still are in criticism of the way he handled that with children - i will share my opinion at a later time). His technique and paintings, after years of struggle and enduring poverty, finally became an overnight sensation and he was rewarded with financial freedom and security beyond his imagination.

The moral of this story, in my opinion, is that the norms of society will gravitate their opinions toward that center nucleus based on what they have perceived through mass marketing channels and through their own sense of understanding. A majority of people (this may be changing now) share the same core ideas of what is considered normal and acceptable and these beliefs tend to shape our reaction to certain styles and approaches by various artists and in every industry. Easily recognizable objects will always take precedence over abstract forms by the majority due to the fact that our senses have been socially and biologically constructed over the course of evolution to gravitate towards these recognized forms and it pleases our senses much more easily. Abstract forms that are broken down into dynamic reflections of the underlying scientific properties challenges people on much deeper levels and for those who aren't the cerebral types, this could be the end of a new beginning in their search for the truth.
One of my abstract drawings compared to my equine portrait drawing.


Whether you are an artist who loves landscapes and portraits, or an artist who likes a more surreal or abstract bend to reality, both approaches have concrete messages and challenge us on different sensory levels. The common denominator for all artists is the emotion and intuitive feeling we all put into our creation, regardless if its recognizable or not. But in the end, are you challenging yourself enough to break free of the limitations and demands of society and peers to create work that speaks to your vision or work that meets you halfway between what is expected and what you expect. We all have something unique to offer as creative beings, so why not explore your own independent way of thinking and seeing the world without worrying about what others will think or say. Set yourself free of those limitations and you will find a world inside you screaming to swim around in the darkest confines of your imagination. Let your mind, spirit, and soul take that plunge from the cliff of expectations and plunge into the unknown. Go to the deepest levels of your ability until you there is no more room to swim around. Just remember, the ocean is vast and exploring even the darkest areas of your imagination could take a lifetime. Have fun on your journey and I hope you find the heights of inspiration.

Justin ~~~