I have been engaged in the world of art since I was a child. My father is also an aspiring artists and do a lot of landscape paintings and portraits which my mother used in her school as part of her visual aids.
And from then, are became one of my passion in life. Being an artist is so fun. It can be your hobby and also can be your source of income.
Here are some of the points in life i gathered as an artist:
An Artist needs to be open minded and know how to accept criticism
You can draw and paint various things and subjects and you might see things that you are not familiar or used to.
In the world of art, critics are everywhere, they can either build you up or destroy you. But artists who have big mind and big aspirations needs to accept criticism positively. Take note of the words and points the critics say. Look at the brighter side of their comments and suggestions. See if they are applicable on your life and on your art. If not, just leave it and ignore the word. But if you think they can add something good to you and your works, take it.
An Artist Inspires
Being an artist is really fulfilling. They make things from nothing , renovate things into better and deeper versions. And most importantly, artists inspire people.
They touch the heart of the people around them by bringing colors into their life, literally and figuratively. They inspire especially the children to become one of them and to create something unique. They become their hero.
I remembered when I was a child, I always look up to my father and said to myself, I'll be like him! He paints my mother's face, he paints waterfalls and mountains, he do furniture and wooden toys. I think that there's nothing he can't do. And then here I am today, an artist like him. And like me as a child, there are children and even people at my age who tell me that they were inspired by the things I do. It is so flattering and overwhelming. I am honored.
An Artist expresses his/her thoughts, opinion and emotions
"We make art not to impress but to express"
If poets expresses their feelings through words, artists uses colors, lines, texture, composition and intensity to express their unspeakable thoughts and emotions.
Most visual artists can do more expressive arts when they are sad or lonely. This can be seen with the colors they used, the lines they convey and the amount of light they apply. Some uses vivid colors with a disturbing illustrations. Some artists expresses their happiness with bright colors. Each and everyone has their own style. Sometimes you can't see their emotions at first glance but the more you focus on their work, the more you feel them.
Me, myself cannot speak what I want to say directly and clearly to the people I interact with, even using hand gestures make them so confused. I always bring small notebook with me so I can illustrate what I mean or give a clear instructions to them. I also stutter and not capable of a strong public speaking. So art is really my way of communicating with others.
An Artist is resourceful
Most traditional art is very expensive. Various of materials and agents are needed for a certain type of painting and crafts. From acrylic painting to oil painting, sculpture to pot making and many more. Digital art also comes with a cost, you need applications, personal computers, license, graphic tablet and many more.
But would you allow scarcity of materials stop you from making art? There's always a way to make your own artstyle with the avasilable resource around you. Some also invest on smaller things first and then they move to bigger upgrades when they sell their artworks.
There are artist who used indigenous materials such as leaf and mud as a painting medium, some uses barks of the tree as canvas and sculpture materials. Other's used recylclable materials. And they are world renowned! (I'll post them on my future blogs)
I remembered when I was a child, I always use the charcoal we used in cooking. I used it as a conventional charcoal pencil and the result is so satisfying as well. There's also a time that I used old papers to make a thick cardboard as my canvas
An Artist is excited to make things
There's a quote (anonymously said) saying that "The artist's life is the most fulfilling job, for they create things out of nowhere, they create their own things"
This always excites me to make new and innovate especially if I am about to create for a cause.
Artists always have the heart to gather ideas and spread them into canvas, no matter what subject they are no matter what thought they have.
Of course there is this thing called "ARTIST'S BLOCK", but that should not stop you from your passion.
It's okay to take your break and Hiatus, there's always time to refresh and renew.
An Artist Gets Inspiration
Aside from being an inspiration, every artists has inspiration too. I myself were inspired by the art of the legendary artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo and Vincent Van Gogh, and local artists too such as Antonio Luna, Yeo Kaa and Lynyrd Paras.
I often practice different styles from their works. Here are some of those.
And as the time passed by, you will see that you developed your own style. It is not easy because there are so many artists with the same style but you will see the difference of your works among them. Just put your heart and make things wholeheartedly!
Take Note: If you are going to make an artwork based on another artist! Don't forget to give them credits. The best thing to do is to approach them first and ask for their permission. Each artworks are so precious to every artists and they need to be recognized as well
Your's Truly,
Genesis Aala
PS. I cannot call myself a professional artist
but I am dreaming to be one of them someday.