How We Tell Our Stories
I recently spent some time editing my artist statement for a local publication, trying to find the perfect succinct but colorful way to explain my art. Artists everywhere understand how elusive that perfect arrangement of words, (with a count between 100-250), is. There’s so much contained within our art.
Working on this project, I brought up images of my art and put them together, thinking about my themes, titles, descriptions of my inspiration that I’ve written in the past. Seeing it all together and spending some time digesting this information, I found that every painting could be seen as a statement of sorts - each a representation of some aspect of my inner self. Taken together, I could see the manifesto of my ideals, the storyline of my struggles and victories, the lessons I’d learned, the values I hold. It was so enlightening!
What I find interesting is that this understanding was hidden - not something I was clear on in my everyday studio practice. I paint what comes with the skills and tools I possess at the time, often from one tiny seed of inspiration - a color palette, the gesture of a plant, the rush of an emotion. Once painting, that one seed leads on to the next thing and the next. Sometimes all at once, more often over time in short sessions. Am I really conscious of my intent for the painting? Not always. In fact, I’m normally happier with the result when I’m just following the seed of inspiration and allowing my subconscious to bring it together. When that happens, the title sometimes comes all at once, like a gift, and is understood as exactly what it should be. When I try to direct a painting consciously, it becomes overly illustrative, even trite.
What is this mysterious practice that allows the flow of information from our subconscious, or from the creative spirit onto the canvas? It’s the exact thing that calls us back again and again to experience. I know every artist can understand when I say that I paint about my human experience in an unpredictable world. My psychological journey through both difficulty and triumph. Skillfully sharing this particular desert dweller's humble human experience, (within 100-250 words), is challenging, but this is my voice.
Next time you have to work on your artist statement, I recommend pulling together all your recent work, along with their titles. Write what each title means to you, then look for the concept(s) that connect them. The process may give that writing chore a kick start of clarity!
Read my current Artist Statement here
Examples:
“Whistling for Songbirds” , means Searching for the messengers in the Universe
“Bee Trees”, means experiencing a mysterious, even intimidating natural phenomenon
“Sunset Trek”, means risking a journey out to a beautiful, but ambiguous area
Connecting Concepts:
searching for answers; wonder of the mystery of the universe; magic in my world