What to do when you change faster than your art?
This might seem as a strange question but it’s one that’s been bothering for a while.
I have evolved a lot as a person in past few months but my illustration style remained the same. I feel like I’ve become a different person (due to some changes in my personal life and things I’ve learned) yet I’m still forcing myself to draw the same way as I did before which doesn’t reflect who I am anymore making me feel restless and unsatisfied with my work.
I’ve always been very keen on personal development and had a deep inner need to challenge myself, to learn and transform parts of me that I felt uncomfortable with and that process naturally reflected on my art as well. In last seven years I worked in many different mediums (video, film , photography, classical painting, collage, just to name the few) and I also tried out various styles and explored many ideas. One can say I haven’t been consistent (except in my need for change hehe).
Although I always admired artists who have a very clear artistic vision and a consistent, clearly defined style and I tried to accomplish the same my inner urge to experiment has always pushed me to try different, new things and somehow I could never settle down and find my own “artistic niche”.
In terms of personal development, change , growth and transforming oneself is certainly desirable but I was wondering:
Can one be a successful artist without having a consistent style and a clear artistic vision?
Can a person keep on evolving both personally and artistically but still remain true to his artistic vision within the frames of one, clearly definable style?
These are the questions I hope to answer soon because I’d like to find a way to satisfy my personal need for development and change but without having to drastically change my artistic style as well :)
I hope you will let your art change along with you, because I think artists who do that create the art that really speaks the most powerfully. It’s coming from their true hearts, minds, etc.
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haha…. i think you have found the answer to your musing! it’s an inspirational reading for me ;). thanks!!
i love your new website!!! it is getting more inspiring with your more inspiring artwork and your musings. i will keep following it
Asja, I completely understand your dilemma and can only answer by saying there is no answer. Unfortunately we live in a time when your “personal” and “individual” style is the key to success. However, the path is unclear and everyone takes a different route toward finding their calling. This may just be another stepping stone for you on your journey. I don’t honestly believe that anyone can keep to one unchanging style… everything evolves! I make sweeping changes in private and minor/subtle changes in public as I work to improve my art. I say go with what feels right.
Your art is so cute! I love your blog! Saludos, Mr Spoqui
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Oh, dear Asja, I can’t give you an answer or an advice, because I’m not an artist. It’s only natural for a person, I think, to evolve if he has the intelligence and senses to understand what has happened to him and how it has changed him. If your perceptions of the world have changed I suppose it will reflect first on the themes you choose, but your style is the mirror of your inner world and your personal and unique way to express it, guided by your talent. I don’t know, maybe it can change as one’s handwriting changes in different periods… Time will show. But don’t rush things!….:-))))
Dear Asja:
I suspect all of us want to develop, forward or backward. Change seems to be the nly permanent fearture in this Universe.
Dear Asja:
I suspect all of us want to develop, forward or backward. Change seems to be the only permanent feature in this Universe.
Keeping one’s style is an effort to keep one’s prejudices, for nobody is perfect.. As an old man, I have made significant discoveries about myself and relation of art to the very existence. However, I do not want to tire you.
Dear Asja:
I suspect all of us want to develop, forward or backward. Change seems to be the only permanent feature in this Universe.
Keeping one’s style is an effort to keep one’s prejudices, for nobody is perfect.. As an old man, I have made significant discoveries about myself and relation of art to the very existence of society. However, I do not want to tire you.
Your website keeps insisting that I “have already said this”.
A professional analyst evolving from handwriting to wide and far I see you make extraordinary effort at organisation, self-control and simplicity. It will take you to green pastures.
Regards,
Oldrich
Emma-thank you for your comment! Yes, I believe that being genuine is very important and also speaking from your heart too.
owl eng-thank you!!
Peter-thank you for your insight! Yes, we do live in times when individual style is a key to success, especially when selling your work through galleries, and generally monetizing your work. I guess itpart of a job :) but it can sometimes feel limiting.
Rossichka- thank you for your words!
Oldrich Nos-thank you for commenting!
Art is a journey. Maybe with all the changing outside your artistic life, your art needs to be the constant reliable friend right now. But I complete understand the frustration and the wonderful, albeit often challenging, desire to continually improve. The key is to not stop. Your art will again find its voice, one you feel coincides and walks hand in hand with who you are. And yet, hidden in the work you continue to do now are semblances of where you are going.