Recently I was re-reading the introduction that I wrote for Open to Interpretation: Water’s Edge and was struck by this paragraph.
As artists we have a human impulse to create art, as well as the human need to define or make sense of the work created. Artistic expression has long been a tool through which we share our individual and collective experiences. Inherent in its very existence, is art’s ability to communicate, engage, and inspire its audience.
I’m always looking to create artwork that is intelligent, has an implied narrative, and leaves room for the viewer to finish the image.
That’s a pretty tall order. Creating images that compel the viewer’s participation is a crapshoot at best. And every viewer comes at it from a different perspective. So really all we can do is work from an authentic place within ourselves.
But what does that mean? This is where I always get stuck, especially when I’m beginning a new project. For me, it always seems to take time (usually more than I want) and experimentation (usually more than I want as well).
So recently I took some of my own advice. My favorite assignment during [The Artistic Image] comes in the first week when I ask students to look at the work of other photo encaustic artists and choose 10 images they wish they had created. Then I ask them to really look at those images and pick them apart—to discover what they are drawn to in the image.
This exercise isn’t about trying to copy another artist’s work. It’s about looking for what draws you to certain images, what emotions are evoked by these images and what similarities arise.
It’s become a habit of mine to screen shot images as I move through the internet. I’ve been doing this for years. I just file the images in a big ‘inspiration file’ – almost like a Pinterest board. Most of the images aren’t photo encaustic (and sometimes they are merely an aspect of an image) but there is something that I’m drawn to in the image. And what I’m drawn to changes over time.
So when I’m stuck and not sure what direction to go, I sit down with my inspiration file and pay attention to those images that make me stop, look and think—the images that transport me to a time, a place, a feeling, or a memory.
This is the list that I came up with from my 10 inspiration images:
- Color + Texture
- Obscurity
- Subtleness
- Timeless
- Ethereal
- Movement
- Square
- Otherworldliness
And then I experimented.
I’d love to hear from you. What draws you to certain works of art? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Be well….be creative,
Clare such a great blog! I’ve added a link to a few of my upcoming scheduled Tweets. I’m slowly building a Twitter following and your blogs are so intelligent and helpful, I wanted to pass this one on. I’ve got a short term goal of putting my useful information and others out there to support, A Creative Life…Thanks for the time and thought put into this blog!
Hi Jess, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks, Clare. This article is so timely for me. It’s important (for me) to realize that its always a struggle to stay motivated and inspired especially when you feel your ideas have failed to materialize anything of substance.
I can’t always verbalize what draws me to a piece of art but I can feel it so that’s what I go with.
I am assuming that the experiment pictured above is yours, its extraordinary and I love it. In this case I can say what drew me to it…the colors, the layers remind me of the strata layers in rock.
Yes Tanya, it’s always a struggle. Over time the struggles impact the psyche less and it’s easier to learn and move on. It can still be frustrating all the same. But then you get a piece that you absolutely love, and it’s all worth it.
This image is the epitomy of what I love about encaustic work. It is simple, yet the depth of texture, color and perspective is very complex. Just awesome!
Thanks Tanja:)
Color is #1 ?
Hard to believe, I know. I’m a new person!
Hi Clare,
I enjoy reading your blog.
What draws me to encaustic art and mixed media in particular is the process of layering, the ability to change direction, completely or partially eliminate what may not be working and then without tossing it all away, create a new, refined vision. It seems to reflect life. I love that it is so forgiving.
I think what I am most attracted to in art in general is the refinement, the simplicity of shapes, forms,color, light, shadow.
Thanks Karen. I too love the refinement and the ability to change the direction. It’s one of the things I like best…..my pieces usually start in one direction and end in a completely different direction.
Hi Clare, thanks for sharing some of the artist’s struggles that we all go through. and more, thanks for the suggestions to over come being “stuck” for direction, inspiriation, or just motivation to create.Yes, I remember your quote from the lessons: ). I will revisit it myself now.
As a beginner, it seems I fit into the type of artist that Nancy Natale describs in the first para graph of her article “Guiding the Creative Process” Prowax Journal, Jan 2015, from your recommended reading list. I seem to be concenrating much more on the technique, being wax working, photoslection, shapes, matching colors, etc, that Ive just excepted the fact that chance will take place in that eventually Ill produce something good.. not to say I don’t try to work on a vision I have but Im just bogging down on techniques…
Whoa, that was hard to get out in words!
I guess Ill hit on a technique that will enable my vision, is that a good approach?
Im still inspired by seemly simple subjects that show movement embedded in depths of layers of wax….. turns out not so simple then.
Hi Nancy,
Yes, at first you need to get some of the techniques that you love in your ‘toolbox’ and then the more you practice and play the more you will refine your vision and start to make work that you like. Keep it up!
Great article, exactly what I wanted to find.