Detail from “Arcade” by Nicholas Wilton
People desire art because it makes them feel alive. Like leaving a monotonous office job for a vacation, Art gives people a new, fresh experience that they crave. The Art that we notice, talk about and dream of does this really, really well.
The primary reason is because it is different from things we have all seen before. Great art is great for this very reason.
So how do we make Art that is truly different?
The answer cannot be found in books or even on the Internet. It certainly cannot be discovered in other artist’s work, although sometimes it appears so. The answer is the same one I use to explain to everyone I teach who doubt their own creative abilities.
The answer is based on two facts.
Fact #1:
Each of us is utterly and totally unique.
Fact #2:
If we make our Art more like ourselves, it will be utterly and totally unique.
That’s it. Plain and simple. No one is excluded. There are no special people with gifts ordained from above as much as some of us would like to believe. The creative pursuit is available to anyone. All that is needed is the desire and curiosity to make and develop work that feels more and more like yourself.
If you do this, your work will be utterly unique. And then, and only then, will the World desire your work.
In fact, they will crave it.
Think of some of your best work. Is it so because it was something new you hadn’t seen before? What was the response? Please leave your comments below.
Encouragingly, Nicholas
7 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
Nicholas, you keep bringing up the most interesting topics.. often those with which I’ve been wrestling myself! One thing I have been pondering is how do we really know if we are painting “like ourselves”? We are so often influenced by others’ works, in ways we perhaps don’t even realize. I grew up exposed to the works of Paul Klee (and others) and people often comment my paintings remind me of his work. Do I paint in some ways similar to him because I was exposed to him early on, or am I drawn to him because his work speaks to me in a very personal, soulful way? Which comes first?
I try to be mindful when I paint about how authentic and “true” to myself I am being in that moment. Am I trying to copy someone whose style I admire? Am I trying to paint in a way that is more commercially acceptable, but not really in a way that gives me joy? How can I tell?
I suppose I go by how it feels… you know, that heady sensation you get when you are being totally honest and real, and the other feeling… that icky sensation that creeps within when what you are doing isn’t really the real you.
But it’s not always so easy, is it?
Your words are so truthful, honest, and sound so easy but are perhaps the hardest thing for artists. Those words mean let go of expectations, customers, galleries, learning, take off the masks you wear, stop trying to please. I will think of those words as I approach my painting once again for in the end you are absolutely right.
Great post and this may be one of the most important things and most difficult. I read a book many years ago called No More Secondhand Art. The essence was to stop trying to be another artist and be yourself. Quit trying to mimic what has already been done.
No more secondhand art is a wonderful book by the way… Nick, your last paragraph says it all so succinctly. Think about some of our best work, and was it new. The answer is yes it was an evolutionary step and it came directly from within my inner creative vision. New materials. New moves. And what happened is this: the art sold immediately to one of my favorite first time clients. In hindsight most of my best pieces have gone out the door very quickly when I’m working in this vein. This is a very good lesson to remember. I will jot it down in my journal and hold onto it as a reminder. Thank you so much for sharing this sage and practical insight.
I will check out that book! I’ve also been enjoying “Paint as You Like and Die Happy” by author Henry Miller.
Sometimes experimenting with unusual mediums can lead to awakening or self realization.
When working in traditional media, even abstractly, I sometimes found that a direction I had taken started to feel familiar. Often I would realize that I was being overly influenced by other artists. It got to the point that I couldn’t trust the validity of my motives and decisions.
During the construction of my, home there were many masonry tasks that needed to be done, I noticed how good cement felt, how versatile it was. It began to speak to me. It revealed textures, colors and surfaces that I had never seen. My brain began to whirl with all the many applications this new medium could foster in my work. It was like wiping the slate clean, nothing felt familiar, no influences to avoid. My art became an exciting adventure where I could experiment, break new ground and trust my instincts once again.
When I let go of “trying” to make a piece of art, and just allow my spirit to lead, I have the most success.