Eugène Delacroix, quoted in Der Blaue Reiter Almanach
(Edited by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, 1911)
Most writing on art is by people who are not artists: thus all the misconceptions
Most writing on art is by people who are not artists: thus all the misconceptions
I admit: this sounds appealing. But then I go and read a bunch of artists’ statements and my eyeballs feel like they’re exploding. Art can surely ‘speak’ for itself; people (artists or not) mostly write nonsense when they write about art.
An old “Calvin & Hobbes” cartoon strip nailed it.
Calvin: “People always make the mistake of thinking art is created for them. But really, art is a private language for sophisticates to congratulate themselves on their superiority to the rest of the world. As my artist’s statement explains, my work is utterly incomprehensible and is therefore full of deep significance.
Hobbes: “You misspelled ‘Weltanschauung’.”
Calvin: “A good artist’s statement says more than his art ever does.”
Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder – simple but true. Any art is only definable in written words by the viewer, who (ahem) may be slightly biased … Many thanks for another important topic.
Regards,
Graeme
I’ve had a few stained glass panels hanging in some art galleries lately.
It’s been fun but no 50-foot ship or mermaids have materialized like they did for Errol Flynn.
I’ve written an artist statement forgive me!
I’ve received critiques from friends like “What are you trying to do?This is craft not art, stop painting on glass – it should be in church. Stay out of art galleries”. And this one from a famed stained-glass maestro who I recently took a class with: “The glory days of selling stained glass are over – go back to your day job.”
But I won’t back down. I’m in like Flynn for the long haul.
Thanks for all the great inspiration throughout the years.
John
I absolutely agree with your resolve.
One point I reckon is crucial is: we should listen to those people who are successful in our field: really successful. They are the people to seek out and spend time with (in whatever way).
Myself, I have a good number of huge dreams about what I plan to achieve. Those dreams aren’t just “dreams”; they are vivid picture of where I want to get to in a year’s time, and 5 years, and 10.
Right now they are all I have (apart from where I have already got to). But I do things each day to bring about their arrival.
And I also listen to people who are doing really well already (doing really well in their own way: because that is all of of us has) in those areas we share in common. I certainly don’t listen to others, or even ask their opinion (they’d think me mad).
So like I say, I absolutely agree with your resolve. That is the way.
Stephen,
Thanks so much. I never really thought that dreams could be vivid pictures or blue prints you could work on. Forever in your debt.
John
Hi Stephen and David,
This is overdue, but now that I have the chance, I just wish to thank you for your last editorial – I love it! From the fun layout, to the no-nonsense ‘just do it’ approach. My files, containing your notes, scatter my rather large coffee table, and are referred to every day when I am painting (as has been the case of late). It is not that I haven’t absorbed everything: I just find the need to glean inspiration – and you are it.
Once again, may I please ask that you post a picture of your finished windows in situ? That would be wonderful.
With regards to the above quote, it brings to mind: who on earth writes the descriptions on wine labels?
I conclude with best wishes to you both,
“Bringing citrus and tropical notes on the nose, followed with hints of fruit salad, white pear and abundant granadilla with strawberry undertones …”
Peta
I like your comparison: words (in the right hands) can certainly convey taste, but, used as they are on wine labels, they fail miserably, and are pure “puff”.
Hi Stephen and David.Thank you for sharing knowledge and experience.You are doing a beautiful stained glass windows.You are referring to success.Stained glass art survives thanks to you.
Hi Kasia – we’re glad to have this opportunity to share our adventures, but the big thing for us is, it’s you and other glass painters around the world who absolutely count: your enthusiasm for the craft, your determination to succeed. We can only go so far. It’s up to you and others to go far, far further. We wish you well.