| How does one become an artist? It makes sense to | | | | study and practice. It also demands the ability to look |
| start with this broad topic, rather than the fundamentals | | | | at your work objectively, not an easy task. I spent a |
| of drawing, painting, etc, because this is the basic | | | | year or two playing and studying chess many years |
| framework for everything else. To say that a person | | | | ago, and found that it improved my drawing ability, |
| is "born" to be an artist is a romanticized cop-out. | | | | probably because chess demands so much |
| Some people may have a greater aptitude for learning | | | | concentration and foresight. And if you are an artist |
| the craft, but the inclination towards art is shaped by a | | | | that works in a representational style, try studying and |
| person's experiences and the influences they | | | | working in a more abstract style for a while, and vice |
| encounter in life. I could easily be a jockey today if I | | | | versa. You'll gain a greater understanding of both. |
| had grown up around the race track. Instead I grew up | | | | Da Vinci and Michelangelo were remarkably |
| in an environment where artistic and intellectual pursuits | | | | well-rounded individuals who could think logically, |
| were encouraged. | | | | practically and analytically, thanks to their activities in |
| In it's most basic form, the desire to create art is all | | | | engineering, architecture and the sciences. They |
| that's really needed in the beginning. But to pursue art | | | | applied these skills to their art, and the results speak |
| as your life's work, to be a "serious" artist, requires a | | | | for themselves. I can think of no better proof for my |
| well-rounded foundation, one built upon a broad range | | | | contention than of these two extraordinary men. |
| of knowledge and experiences. | | | | I think it would be helpful now to address the merits of |
| Art reflects the world around us, and often the world | | | | being a formally trained artist, as opposed to being a |
| within us. The old advice to "paint what you know" is | | | | self-taught artist, such as myself. There can be no |
| certainly valid, but just what do you know? Most take | | | | doubt that a school trained artist has a considerable |
| this maxim to mean that you must paint or draw your | | | | advantage over one self-taught; you have someone |
| backyard, your neighbor or your dog. I "know" these | | | | knowledgeable to ground you in proper technique and |
| things too, but I also "know" history, literature and | | | | help you to correct your mistakes. The self-taught |
| mythology. I have traveled in a number of countries; I | | | | artist must go to great effort to be as constructively |
| have been in the military. I know my life, and I know | | | | critical of his work as he can, concentrating extra |
| something of myself, too. This knowledge is reflected | | | | effort on the areas in which he is weak, something |
| in my work. | | | | that will be difficult for some. |
| Writers are encouraged to write as much as possible | | | | But I think all students are ultimately self-taught; no one |
| from their own experiences so that it sounds authentic. | | | | can make the effort for you. And I have seen many |
| Why should a visual artist be any different? | | | | works by academically trained artists that are so |
| The wider the range of your knowledge and | | | | formulaic that they look like they came out of a |
| experiences, the deeper and broader your art will | | | | paint-by-the-numbers kit. The self-taught student may |
| become. Exposure to great works of literature and | | | | fall into improper practices if he isn't careful, but he |
| philosophy have given me new ways to look at life | | | | may be freer in his artistic expression than his school |
| and the world, as well as giving me ideas for new | | | | trained friend. Keep in mind that Van Gogh was largely |
| artwork. It has allowed me to see how others have | | | | self-taught, receiving only minimal classroom instruction. |
| viewed these things before me. Some artists have | | | | I don't want to scare anyone away from pursuing art; |
| been optimistic; others cynical; but every age has had | | | | as I said before, all you need to start with is the desire |
| both optimists and cynics, demonstrating a continuity in | | | | to start. But gradually, bit by bit, you may find that |
| human affairs. Both art and psychology tell us that | | | | expanding your sphere of knowledge and experience |
| whatever you feel, others have felt the same way | | | | will improve the quality of your work, and your life. This |
| you have. The more you read and study, the more | | | | all reminds me of the criticism that students have |
| you'll see this too. | | | | perennially made -- why should I study geometry, |
| The more well-rounded a person you are, the finer an | | | | French. Latin, etc., when I'm going to wash dishes or |
| artist you'll be. It's "cross-training" at its most intellectual | | | | mow grass for a living? You're right -- you don't need |
| level. This also applies at the more technical level, when | | | | these studies for everyday accomplishments. But |
| developing the actual skills for creating art. To create | | | | creating fine art is not an everyday accomplishment --it |
| fine art requires mental focus, patience, discipline, | | | | is an extraordinary endeavor that requires |
| superb hand-eye coordination, well-honed | | | | extraordinary abilities. I hope that my thoughts here can |
| decision-making and problem-solving skills. It requires | | | | be of help to you in developing these skills. |
| you to be a good student, one who knows how to | | | | |