Not too long ago I found this banana tree which had been pruned to make way for new growth. I found the patterns fascinating. Im all about patterns and new growth!
I am especially drawn to the hidden, the unexpected and the mysterious.
Untitled 1 - (Circles of Wonder) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008I used a Photoshop technique I discovered recently ( which I will share on Sunday in a tutorial) to create these images .
Untitled 2 - (Circles of Wonder) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008I have been mulling over this question ever since the SBDC art show a couple of weeks ago. The feedback I received in the art I showed in that exhibition has led me to believe people were more drawn to my earlier work than work that is more recent. Do you, as artists, create for yourself and hope to draw an audience towards you, or do you find what the audience wants and create for them? Or both? This is mostly directed towards those of you who are selling your art, but I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on this.
8 comments:
I have not sold that much art recenlty, but I always create for myself and hope my taste and standards ares such that others might like and want it.
I used to do weddings and there I took artsy pictures that I thought the bride might like - very much geraed to making them happy. I comnpromised less with art shows. In one show the painting that solkd first was one that I almost pulled from the show.
I have always gone for fine arts market and never done cards, etc or mass sales of photos, etc.
That someone likes older work is partlky a matter of statistics - recent work is a smaller percentage of the body.
One also can get tired or in a rut and repeat oneself. I feel and fear that every day.
The image on your artistic statement is glorious and bright and almost universal. It might be your "Citizen Kane" and there is nothing wrong with that. It is a lovely miracle of creation and anyone would covet it.
I met someone once whose father owned a very famous NY gallery and he thought the other O'Kiefe would sell more than he admired her work. This is in the nineteen forties or fifties.
Those are my two cents, my best.
If I were to have to earn my living from making my art, I would definitely keep the public's taste in mind. It would be foolish to be stubborn and only create your own masterpieces for posterity and try to sell them. You can make those in your spare time. Make what sells if it puts the roof over your head, if not, make what you want.
I like the Mandala you loaned to Irene and her work with it - simply stunning, both.
My best....will write ya soon.
Well I feel the likelyhood that one is going to really make money on art in this day and age is pretty slim. It's kind of like the lottery. So that being the case I say make what you want. Isn't that what inspired you to make art in the first place? That said...I don't think there's a thing wrong w/ experimenting w/ things to try and make money. Hell yeah, I want to win that lottery! I guess for me you make what you want first, and you make what other people want second.
No, no, no no. I do art for a living and I absolutely *must* create for myself and myself alone. I have learned the hard way that I cannot compromise on this. And the reasons for me are very practical: if I do not do it for myself first, it will look like crap. Because I do not love it, and because I'm not inspired. If it doesn't please me, it's not going to please anyone else.
I prefer to create art for myself. I have been commissioned to paint for others and I really disliked having to paint an image or subject that I didn't much care for even though I was paid fairly. It was a time in my creative life I hated the most. When I lived in Napa everyone wanted vineyard art and found it dull and repititious. If creating becomes a chore or repetitive, I'm miserable. My art feeds my soul first, if someone likes it great. I don't ever want to make a living from my artwork.
Now with regard to earlier works vs. recent works I just think it's
up to an individual and at what point of an artist's career that they were attracted to not necessarily that older works are better or not has polished as recent works.
My three cents.
Beautiful imagery here. Lovely.
Have you ever posted your earlier works?
Thank you all for your comments and feedback. I know that my thinking has been skewed a bit (i.e. older art not necessarily as wonderful as newer work), and I see where my art is faulty. I do not need to be afraid of whatever imaginary demands might be made on me not to keep moving forward in my vision. Thanks especially to John for suggestion my dandelion mandala might be my "Citizen Kane." I admit I am partial to it, like saying hello to an old and dear friend.
~Sue O'Kieffe
...errrr I meant to say, "I know where my thinking (not "my art") is faulty..."
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