It is possible to make wonderful art when that is not the conscious idea or goal, when its creator does not even see himself as an artist so much as an artisan or skilled worker and simply wants to do a good job that will accomplish its intended purpose--which may be utilitarian or commercial. There is much of that in Japanese ceramics and woodblock prints, which can be exquisite or amazing works of art far more impressive and satisfying than much "fine" art by "serious" artists.
Precisely. The sooner we rid ourselves of the "artist" pretense, the better. Brilliant artistry results from every human endeavor/occupation because of an attitude of approach.
Balthus remarked that he thought of himself as an artisan because "artists have ruined everything with their pretensions."
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
"Live to eat or eat to live" has been around forever. I've seen it in ancient writings. It's all over the Bible. I'd think that anyone having a go at an art-making career would eventually come face to face with that question. The trick is in honestly answering it.
Also heard it in first year undergrad... sobering words were said, such as: "The world doesn't owe you a living just because you've decided to be an artist. Ensure you have a fall-back position for supporting yourself financially".
The fall-back position is, for most, a trap. Start getting that regular money, have a place in society and other comforts, and gradually the challenge of making art begins to look overwhelming and fades into the background, eventually replaced by bitterness at having been trapped. I saw that in, for instance, the instructors and professors of the university I attended. Better, for me at least, to do or die.
Thanks for your comment. It may not work for everyone but it's worked for me. Having had to start a business when there were few jobs after grad school, it was painful at times but worth it. I was in a "good" gallery in the 1980s when the dealer visited my studio and cut me from his stable when I changed my work from abstraction to still life and landscape, with the caveat that I could come back when I was doing my "real work" again. I shut that door, kept on painting and never looked back. Art hasn't faded into the background and no one dictates what or how I paint. Also I respect that every artist must choose their own path.
⭐"To each has been revealed a different panorama."⭐
& this, from Thoreau's noteboox:
"I am always struck by the centrality of the observer's position. He always stands fronting the middle of the arch, and does not suspect at first that a thousand observers on a thousand hills behold the sunset sky from equally favorable positions." ~ 10 July 1851
Dear Mr. Ryder,
Yep.
Faithfully yours,
Moi
It is possible to make wonderful art when that is not the conscious idea or goal, when its creator does not even see himself as an artist so much as an artisan or skilled worker and simply wants to do a good job that will accomplish its intended purpose--which may be utilitarian or commercial. There is much of that in Japanese ceramics and woodblock prints, which can be exquisite or amazing works of art far more impressive and satisfying than much "fine" art by "serious" artists.
Precisely. The sooner we rid ourselves of the "artist" pretense, the better. Brilliant artistry results from every human endeavor/occupation because of an attitude of approach.
Balthus remarked that he thought of himself as an artisan because "artists have ruined everything with their pretensions."
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Live to paint, not the other way around. That's so true.
It's also one of Darby's aphorisms, apparently unwittingly. I certainly hadn't seen the reference, and it may not be original to Ryder either.
"Live to eat or eat to live" has been around forever. I've seen it in ancient writings. It's all over the Bible. I'd think that anyone having a go at an art-making career would eventually come face to face with that question. The trick is in honestly answering it.
Also heard it in first year undergrad... sobering words were said, such as: "The world doesn't owe you a living just because you've decided to be an artist. Ensure you have a fall-back position for supporting yourself financially".
The fall-back position is, for most, a trap. Start getting that regular money, have a place in society and other comforts, and gradually the challenge of making art begins to look overwhelming and fades into the background, eventually replaced by bitterness at having been trapped. I saw that in, for instance, the instructors and professors of the university I attended. Better, for me at least, to do or die.
Thanks for your comment. It may not work for everyone but it's worked for me. Having had to start a business when there were few jobs after grad school, it was painful at times but worth it. I was in a "good" gallery in the 1980s when the dealer visited my studio and cut me from his stable when I changed my work from abstraction to still life and landscape, with the caveat that I could come back when I was doing my "real work" again. I shut that door, kept on painting and never looked back. Art hasn't faded into the background and no one dictates what or how I paint. Also I respect that every artist must choose their own path.
⭐"To each has been revealed a different panorama."⭐
& this, from Thoreau's noteboox:
"I am always struck by the centrality of the observer's position. He always stands fronting the middle of the arch, and does not suspect at first that a thousand observers on a thousand hills behold the sunset sky from equally favorable positions." ~ 10 July 1851
That is why awareness is preferable to concentration.
Oh wow -- Yes!
Thanks for adding the word "concentration" into the mix --
Literally "with-centering" = getting onto the same circular perspective --
i.e. Thoreau's "middle of the arch" --
True awareness recognizes a multiplicity of centers --
Thus "Pan-Horama" = ALL VIEWS
👀🌎⚪🌟
Evidently, Ryder was not in it to get rich, be famous or develop a brand. It makes a difference.
Patience
I've had the privilege of shivering in front of the Grazing Horse many times.