A Day in The Life page 12 color pencils
As an artist you are always told to develop your own style. Well, I just watched a TED talk by Shea Hembrey -- he became 100 artists with hundred different styles for his own 'International Biennial Show!' He made up artists from different counties, invented bios, wrote one hundred different artist statements and created different styles, forms of art in all different sizes too - paintings, sculptures, performance arts, installations, movies/documentaries. He was even his own curator, Gallery director --but of course, you know by now that he came up with names and positions and bios for them too.
There is a huge debate going on in TED site about what all this means. I am impressed with his audacity, creativity and sense of humor. It tickled me that he has hundred different artists in him and now I feel comfortable to carry on with my varied styles and choice of mediums without feeling compelled to choose one or the other. Does this mean I may end up not mastering any one style or medium? Probably so but I may never grow as an artist if I don't keep experimenting and pushing my limits. When it comes to creativity, I think it is a fine line between being focused and spreading yourself thin! Check out the hilarious and creative talk and a sample of his hundred of artists in the TED-video. Please leave a comment and let me know your opinion about it.
There is a huge debate going on in TED site about what all this means. I am impressed with his audacity, creativity and sense of humor. It tickled me that he has hundred different artists in him and now I feel comfortable to carry on with my varied styles and choice of mediums without feeling compelled to choose one or the other. Does this mean I may end up not mastering any one style or medium? Probably so but I may never grow as an artist if I don't keep experimenting and pushing my limits. When it comes to creativity, I think it is a fine line between being focused and spreading yourself thin! Check out the hilarious and creative talk and a sample of his hundred of artists in the TED-video. Please leave a comment and let me know your opinion about it.
13 comments:
Avery useful post for me Meera..I always wonder if I have to stick to one particular style and develop signature for myself..
I loved what you wrote next to the color pencils..so very true!
Padmaja, thank you! Glad you found the post useful. Its really funny --I always admired artists who were diverse only to find out that in the art establishment it was somewhat frowned upon! I see that it is good to develop a style but I think we should also keep testing our creativity and the possibilities. I was impressed with his output in the span of two years while he set out to be 100 artists! Even if he has only a couple of extra-ordinary pieces in the experiment I think it is a tremendous achievement :) I am hoping to see somewhere- may be online, as many of his pieces as possible.
Great post Meera....I too try various mediums and styles of painting from time to time but always come back to my first love which is watercolors. Even when I've been using watercolor for some time and try to do an acrylic it is like starting all over again with the acrylic medium. That is frustrating. Having started with oils which I just couldn't stand the smell and long drying time I promptly switched to acrylic which better suited my type A personality. Then I tried watercolors which I had always said I wanted to paint and found it the best for me. From abstract to photorealizm it's all there at one's fingertips and we should try it all. It's like getting a good education; it should never end.
Thanks Meera, I just checked out TED and love the site. I will be visiting it often.
This was a wonderful, thought-provoking idea. As I read Trust the Process by Shaun McNiff I find the ideas are similar to what you have discussed here. We need to let whatever is within us come to the surface and spill out no matter what that looks like...this has affirmed that I should just rid myself of preceonceived notions of how things should or could be and just let myself create. Thanks so much for sharing this I am off to watch...doesn't TED rocks?? Love watching all those inspiring pieces!
Carol, Thank you! I am happy you like that site --I spend hours watching and listening to the TED Talks --I was even lucky to attend a day long TEDx conference in Newport news, VA sponsored by NASA. It always fills me with awe and inspiration. And really, I agree with you--no need to be constrained in our artistic endeavors :)
Thanks Natasha! I will have to check out that book by McNiff. I know I need to trust the process and not always look for outside approval --but for me its easier said than done :(
Hi, Meere,
Thank you for the interesting post. Anyone starts with copying and tries to find who s/he is "Experiments brings experiences that develop one's own style," is all what I can say.
Cheers, Sadami
Sadami, Thank you! thats a great way of looking!
Wow 100 different artists from one person?! That's really incredible. I sometimes feel like I have split personalities when I work on my different mediums, but it keeps me charged, feeds that creative spark so I guess it's essential. Honestly I don't think there's anything wrong with it, I think we should applaud that brave soul!
And your drawing is so bright and lively meera, just perfect!
Crystal, I think its incredible too! I guess we don't have to worry about feeling schizophrenic :) Most of the artists I know work in more than one medium even though I hear galleries would like them to stick to one style and medium.
Wow that is really amazing. I really like your sketch with the colored pencils. It's something I've always thought of painting! Or drawing!
Thanks Kathy! Good to hear from you!
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