There are two things that you need to know in art and making art; one is wants the golden ratio; the second is the Golden Rule. I combine the two, and call it the Golden Rune.
For now, let’s examine the Golden Rule. We’ll get to the Golden Ratio in another post.
The Golden Rule as stated by Jesus (but pretty much universally declared) is: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
This is how an artist (any creative) can think about the work that they’re doing. If one is looking for an audience, there’s that reciprocity involved:
What you are offering as an artist is intended to be communicated to an audience;
Therefore, you (the artist) pay attention to them as they pay attention to you.
This is a double edged sword. It is very possible to play to your audience and that may work for a while but once the audience changes… then your work might be left behind.
It’s like it’s “great work” but it’s – you know, “so 1990’s.”
This must be considered – do you want to communicate to an audience, or would you prefer to strike out on your own, following your own vision, no matter what. All artists of all disciplines have made that choice.
Speaking for myself, I want something sincere in my work. I believe that human experience, by definition, both sincere and universal. That experience (my experience) is something that I express in my work: the beauty of a tree, the grace of the tree. I hope that my tree painting will be appreciated by other people who appreciate trees!
I feel that my work has succeeded if I paint a picture of a tree and then someone who really admires trees and knows about trees admires my work. I would feel very honored by that!
Therfore, one of the most – if not the most – essential qualities for a great work of art is Sincerity.
I can apply this approach to commercial graphic design. A good logo has certain qualities, such as “immediacy.” The logo carries the message in a way that is memorable. For example, if I say “golden arches” you know who and what I’m talking about.
Now getting you to think of “golden arches” – of course, that is the result of marketing brainwashing – but there is the important quality there of connection. The logo works; the golden arches do communicate.
For a true artist (a true painter) – communication is the goal.
It doesn’t matter what kind of end result you’re looking for: it could be the most wild abstract imaginable but at some point you have to actually participate in and interact with the natural world because you were part of the natural world and what you are doing is part of the natural world and it has been for a long time.
Practice being sincere and honest in your work. Ask yourself if you work is “truthful” or are you just playing to the crowd. It is ultimately unfruitful to make derivative work, no matter what your discipline is. One can begin by copying others’ work and style, but to grow and develop as an artist one must explore their own expereince. That is where the creative richest soil is found.
Finale:
Of course, after all of the above, you need to market yourself and your work – but that’s a whole another subject, and that will be my next post – “How to avoid marketing burnout and marketing failure.”
transmission ended