There is, sometimes, nothing more frightening than a blank canvas, a block of clay, an unthreaded loom. What does this blank space need from you and what, as an artist, do you need from it?
Creativity is Personal
The high-speed social media art scene can make it feel like you must create art for an audience and chase trends until your work doesn’t seem like yours and your signature has faded. As artists, we create from personal experience and a place of emotion. Art that speaks to people speaks through universal recognition; feeling what you felt when you were inspired and feeling what you felt as you created. Don’t feel you have to self-edit your artistic voice or personal style to create meaningful pieces that resonate. As Ann Lamott said, “You own your experiences.” So, use them.
What’s in an Audience?
Don’t let your style be overshadowed by what you think your audience wants or what’s “trending”. As artists, we’re always being bombarded with opportunities to market and instructions on how to “monetize” our art, our process, our experiences, and the unique stories only we can tell. The hustle mindset can leave you feeling uninspired, and unsure of who your audience is. Creating for an audience instead of yourself can make even the most seasoned artists feel adrift and unable to find their signature style. Leave the Greek chorus telling you to hustle at the door and fall in love with your art. You are your audience and people connecting with your work is the cherry on the deconstructed mixed media sundae.
A Brush Stroke by Any Other Name
We can all recognize a Van Gogh without looking for the signature. We can identify Frida Kahlo or Banksy immediately. Your personal style is a signature without a signature. The way you use light, directionality, or unorthodox tools and materials, is your signature. As you block out the rest of it, the audience, the need to monetize, you’ll find your signature calls to people, and what helps you stand out in a way that doesn’t leave us squinting to read the caption card beneath your work. That does not mean you shouldn’t take chances, change up your skill set, or learn new methods. Your personal style will flow through each piece as it’s meant to.
You are unique and your art should represent that about you. For examples on how artists bring out themselves in their work, take a look at what our AmFab artists are up to.
