“Be what you are. This is the first step towards becoming better than you are.” – Julius Hare
Creating art that is unique is a desire all artists have as they mature in their creativity. Initially, when you start creating, being able to imitate the work of the art masters serves as a height of achievement for you.
But as you mature, you long to find your voice. You long to be yourself. You no longer derive satisfaction from imitation. It is a basic human need we all possess. Being someone else is not fun. It’s true in life as it is in art.
It is often hard to find your artistic voice but when you find it, it’s easy to recognize it’s originality. Because each of us is an original, not a copy of someone else. Even identical twins have distinguishing features.
Similarly, original, unique and interesting art have distinguishing features. And this is the goal we all strive to attain.
When you view the works of the masters of art, they have characteristics which make us easily identify them as originals. We recognize a Pollack, a Van Gogh, or a Sonia Delaunay because of their unique characteristics (“trademarks”).
“Be what you are. This is the first step towards becoming better than you are.” – Julius Hare
To create work that is original to you, you must create work that is meaningful and that feels comfortable to you. I love high heels and I’ll enjoy a 4-hour party in a pair of heels.
However, if high heels aren’t your thing, no matter how well the party is organized and how gracious the host/hostess are, you’ll not enjoy the party in heels. Because they’re not comfortable for you. To create art that is unique and interesting, we must enjoy what we do.
We can enjoy what we do when it’s comfortable for us. Since we can’t be anyone else, we’ll always come short trying!!! Because even if you’re good at imitating, it’s impossible to figure out all that makes someone who they truly are.
But we can be great at being ourselves. Because no one has had as much practice at being us as we have.
We all have different skills and interests in our lives which we can fuse into our art. Some people take inspiration from metal work, sports, architecture or other subjects and incorporate it into their art quilting.
Those who step outside of the world of art to incorporate some of those influences into art always stand out as originals. And you can become an original too. Just look to what feels comfortable to you.
“Originals stand out. Copies blend in.”
Imitation is said to be the best form of flattery. Indeed it’s flattery for the original you’re copying, not for you doing the imitation.
Imitation is great when you’re starting out. To find your own unique voice, you need to mature beyond imitation.
I suggest you do this. Get a piece of paper and write down your skills and interests in one column. Then in another column combine each of those skills with the word quilting and see if you’ll come up with something interesting. You’ll be surprised at what you may find. That can become your own unique slant on art quilting.
Another way of getting to what feels comfortable to you is by getting inspiration from the work of artists you like. Go to museums, art shows, and look through art magazines. Write down in a journal what draws you to the pieces of art you seem to like.
Then, start creating a series of work based on this new slant. Work on it until you’ve developed your unique voice. It won’t happen overnight but it’s work worth doing.
Go on – give it a try. Find your unique style. Say what you want to say in the way only you can say it. Be original!!!
Your Turn
Have you found your own unique spin on art quilting? What is it?
I don’t think I have found my unique spin on my own art. I dabble in learning new techniques, read a huge amount, have many hobbies and use family as an excuse. Reading your newsletter and interviews have been very insightful.
I have been coming to the idea that it is I am unsure what I want from my art. What is my goal? Make pretty pictures, sell, have a following, teach or go with the flow? I guess I am in the fortunate position I do not have to make money from what I do at this point.
This weeks tip is a great idea to do an inventory of skills.
I also am really enjoying your interviews with other artists. You are doing a great job and a wonderful resource for others.
A thank you is in order to you for being so giving of yourself. THANK YOU!
Hi Jo,
I truly appreciate your kind comments and I’m glad you’re making time to contemplate what you really want to do with your art. Creativity is a journey and we all end up at some destination. Thinking through it allows you to chart the course, somewhat. I hope you’ll enjoy your journey.