My first topic!
I would like to ask - What makes a successful artist?
And what is the difference between a doodle and a masterpiece?
I know it’s been asked so many times before, and I have pondered over it in the past, but after listening to Secrets of the Beehive and reflecting on my own drawings, the question is burning in my mind again.
I hope someone can help…but if the following is a bit too dense to read, I completely understand. Just respond to the initial question. Once I’m out of this rut, I’ll probably look back and be confused too!
Anyway, what makes art? The first thing that sticks in my mind is something Mr Sylvian said about a great piece of art having the ability to heal. So are artists like doctors in their own field? Or perhaps counsellors? Psychics? Helping hands? I don’t know. Sometimes it seems to me, art can be a representation of the inner self…..in which case, it is like looking in a mirror. Which can sometimes be painful… but I think a certain degree of pain is very necessary in order to realise the pleasure more…..so perhaps it is ultimately healing if you stare at it long enough. But does that mean a great piece of art must hold your attention? What about those artworks that grab you immediately? Or quick lines, sounds or impressions that somehow say something that would take ages to put down in words? Or words that seem to defy all reason but somehow make one feel at ease or on edge, in love or in denial? Enlightened?
Perhaps ‘the artist’ simply gives cues, suggestions…for us to do the rest. Perhaps it is art without direct intentions or meanings, but with subtle hints or ambiguous memory-joggers, that is the most successful?
But ‘successful’ in what? Healing? How does the artist know it will heal, if what is taken from the artwork is ultimately up to the viewer or listener? Perhaps all humanity is united in its response to certain ‘cues’ and metaphors? But in which case, why can’t everyone be an artist – if they recognise these cues?
Can anyone be an artist? Is ‘art’ a learnt skill or an inherent gift? Or a mixture of both? Perhaps it’s not at all like being a doctor…
Perhaps it is more like being a translator – putting unseen ‘feelings,’ ‘thoughts,’ ‘impulses,’ ‘dreams…’ into physical manifestations? And the healing part comes later…or not at all…depending on the correlation between the listener’s mood/views/experience/circumstance upon listening… and that of the artist.
Does a ‘successful artist’, therefore, present a variety of landscapes from which to ‘catch’ the listener/viewer ‘at the right time? How important is continuity in art? Or the presence of the artist’s own personality, style or aesthetics? I’m sure, for example, I couldn’t listen to many of Mr Sylvian’s songs if they were sung with a different voice. Sometimes covers work. But most of the time do not. Especially if they are very unique to that particular artist.
In which case, is it important for an artist to be individually self-expressive as well as a translator of united emotions? Perhaps by ‘healing,’ Mr Sylvian also meant ‘healing’ to the artist themselves? I know my drawing has always been more therapeutic than anything else. It is only recently I realised it may even be worth showing my art to other people. I have always kept it to my self, or sometimes just thrown it away, as it was the process of doing it – or bringing ‘the inside out’ – that was important, not the finished product……….but then this completely contradicts what I thought before….
Perhaps art is never a ‘finished product’ – it is the process itself. I have always found working sketches and doodles fascinating… But, then, what earns them the title ‘doodle’ if they are never worked on again and if they speak volumes in just a few squiggles? Especially when something considered a ‘masterpiece’ says very little in comparison?
In which case, I believe art must be separated into two fields – its ability to communicate and its technical skill and beauty. Like people. Beautiful people with little on their minds, and ugly people with brains like Einstein. Best is a combination of both I suppose – beautiful and complex people. But then again, who am I to judge what these two things are? We all see ‘beauty’ and ‘intelligence’ very differently…….hm…….so much for my ‘unified mind of humanity’ theory….we are all different.
Perhaps artists just create the things they like, and the things that interest and inspire them, and hope they communicate to people of a similar disposition? And that is all? Nothing amazing about it…… But, then, why aren’t we all artists?
I think I’m going round in circles here, so if anyone has any fresh ideas to add…. I tend to overthink things to a point where I have a hundred more questions than when I started!
Oh! Maybe that’s it – an artist puts all this – all these words – into one picture? Simplified. So I don’t have to think about it and get confused. And that’s why it’s healing!
Maybe………it doesn’t really matter anyway……….it’s just interesting. I guess to some people art really isn’t that important.
Or maybe it’s best just not to question it. And find the answer in the silence…or maybe not......
Hm. I think I’m going to get some lavendar tea and calm down…then do some painting.
Either way, I am glad to share this with someone. I am also not very good at writing...so perhaps someone can just write a summary line that makes sense. Thank you!