Article - What Makes an Artist

What Makes an Artist

By

B.D. Adams

2014©

            I’ve written a few articles for “The Hanging Image,” a webpage by a good friend ... http://hangingimage.com ... and, I hope to write some more for him. However, just so many articles ... just so many words ... can be written to entice you, the reader, to purchase art for wall decorating, be it paintings or photography. My articles have been written for the webpage, but not many folks seem to A) see the items I have written in the past, or B) have little interest in art or artists! A sad thought.

            Will I give up on my previous endeavors to encourage art? Not on your life! These articles will be my attempt to talk, invite interest in art and photography as art!

            However, I do feel a need to expand on the creators of art ... what makes an artist! Let’s touch on the actual, human side of art. What entices one to pick up a brush and palette with delightful colors to put paint to canvas, or to discover that old, dusty camera from that cluttered closet, to see if it still worked!

            I think that I can divulge the secret that visual artists are created by what they see ... mostly by the desire to be artists!

            I was so inspired, motivated by many artists. However, I was also very frustrated, intimated by these men and women, at times. To be good, one needs to overcome the fear of what to do next; continue to try or give up. I never gave up! 

            For this article, I feel the need to offer a small eulogy for one of my admirations. I was a painter when I first learned of Andrew Wyeth. His art was so thoughtful ... so moving ... so understated. The pieces with people were so “real,” as they depict the casual life of country folks. I was so lucky, when I resided in New York City, that I saw his Helga Paintings at MOMA. His still-lifes and his nature images showed his appreciation of what he saw. Unfortunately, Mr. Wyeth passed away in January 16, 2009 at the age of ninety-one. The world has enjoyed his talent and will continue to enjoy his work because we were blessed with his longevity!

            Was my artwork as good as his?  Well ... I always wanted it to be. However, dear reader, we always look to the pie-in-the-sky for our acceptance.

            I’ve wondered, from time to time, what would have happened with Andrew Wyeth, Pablo Picasso or even Ansel Adams, if they were discouraged from pursuing their art? What if all they heard were the nay-sayers about their art pursuits!

            “Andy!  Whatcha doin’? Makin’ a new drawing? Come on ... play ball with us,” a so-called friend might tease. 

            “What’re ya gonna do for money, Pablo? Ya really think the tourists will buy your stuff?”

            “Hey, Ansel ... why d’you need such a big camera? Anyone can take a snap-shot!”

            Alas, dear readers, this has been the turmoil that all artists endure!!  Look at Vincent Van Gogh, for goodness sake! The poor man was so tormented (and, not only by his mental problem) by the so-called critics! He sliced his right ear from his head to make his statement!  Granted, his method was a bit extreme, but I think you get the point.

           There are many folks ... young or old ... who have thought about trying, who wanted to try, who actually did try ... but, who had been discouraged by “well-meaning” friends and family. It is difficult for the “well-meaning” types, who cannot see beyond the end of their noses, to keep their noses out of the artists’ ... well, you know! To me, we are all artists!!

            It’s only the dedicated artists who shove all negative thoughts to a hidden spot, so they can pursue only what’s important. Their art!

            I am encouraging you to read about artists where you can! Read the morsels that are published in magazines, on websites or books. Artists come in all shapes and forms! The only thing that separates any of us is merely not trying to “see” what’s in front of us!

            As I have hinted in past articles, I too am an artist ... a photographer. When I die and they prepare my body for burial, stop-bath will be what they’ll find in my veins. Sorry ... I digress. My creative life has been full of the ups and downs, all the nay-sayers, that all artists have endured. My career began many, many years ago, when women were not encouraged to succeed in a man’s work. But, I pursued, made my mark!

            In my case, my mother was my biggest nay-sayer! We’d talk on the phone (she lived in Texas and I was in Ohio) and she’d always get around to her mother’s question ... her mother’s nag;  “Oh, honey ... when are you going to get a “real” job? Like as a key-punch operator!” That’s when I’d say good-by and hang up on her. (Yes ... this example will date me.)

            However, once I proved to her that I could make money and not starve and even fly down to Texas for Christmas, she lightened up.  I was even hired to photograph my brother’s wedding (and ... that’s another story)!  Every artist has their stories.

            Writing has become a new art-form for me.  I still create with my cameras, but this is new, and new is a good thing. My next article about photography as an art-form, will be submitted next month.

            Until the next article, take care!  Spring is on its way!!!!