Inspiration. Where my artist eye intersects the world.
“Vision is always ahead of execution, knowledge of materials is your contact with reality, and uncertainty is a virtue.” ~ from “Art & Fear/Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking” by David Bayles & Ted Orland
“Art & Fear” is a small classic book published in 1993 (which you can download for free here), but new to me. It’s such a worthwhile read for art makers of all kinds.
Part of the book that got me thinking (and nodding in agreement) is about the components of art making: inspiration, materials and uncertainty. You need an idea, an impetus, a desire to make a picture (or a piece of music, or a poem). The materials you use have their own properties you must respect and learn – that is the craft of the work. And finally, uncertainty. That’s the magic. Uncertainty is the journey, it is the exploration, the edge of a piece that leads to the making of the next piece.
Materials. Know them and love them.
Uncertainty is not the same as doubt. Doubt comes from the “no” voice in our heads. A confident artist carries strength into the uncertain adventures of their art making. Confidence comes from encouragement, from education, from experience and from maturity. I was thrilled and heartened to see the outpouring from confident artists for the recent Sherry Grover Art Sparks benefit exhibit for Port Townsend School of the Arts. Family, education and community can help to grow the artists among us all.
The artist’s journey is to embody their own way of art making. To use training and skill to turn toward the world with a unique expression. There is only one you, in this one time, in this one world. One of my favorite buttons says it best “Never apologize for your art.”
Uncertainty. What happens next? I keep going, to find out.
And speaking of inspiration, I will be giving a talk called “Ways to Inspiration” at Northwind Arts Center on August 12, as part of their 20th annual Art Port Townsend series of events. I’ll be talking about my approach to the use of source material, which is a process that can feed inspiration again and again. Ultimately though, inspiration is fed by your interest in what you see. It doesn’t matter where the interest lies, but it does matter that it is from you, here in the world at this very moment.