Practice Art: A Coup

Ok, maybe Coup is kind of a strong word. But that's one way to reel in some readers! 

One of the things that Julie, Eileen and I talked about in the Adventures in Arting podcast (here) was Practice. Julie and I have both heard from students that their families and friends simply don't get why they are making art. 

Why are they spending time and money on making art that won't be sold? Art that lives in a book and isn't even to be shared? 

We understand cards

That's nice! But what about a person who Practices art? With no real goal in mind?

Do we understand men who practice for their baseball games? Or say you are in a choral group. They practice, right? But again, there is a clear goal. Win the game. Put on a concert. Or is it a personal goal? Simply get better. Eileen mentioned golf. Now that's a good one. I think of watching TV. I like it but what does it accomplish? 

How about the Practice of Yoga?

So, tell me, why don't we as a society, understand Practicing Art. I say it's because we under value art and that we are stuck in the notion that Art requires Talent.

Ya' know what I think? I think Talent = Passion. If you are passionate about something - whatever that is from Alphebetizing to Zebra Grooming, you will become good at it because you will be consumed with Practicing.

What do you think? Discuss ... 

Is "under value" one word or two? and I couldn't resist ... I put Zebra Grooming into the Keywords. 

Comments

[Sue Schultheis]

amen!

[JoAnn]

Your interview with Julie and Eileen was fabulous - I spent the day "practicing" - doesn't get better. Thank you for sharing,

[Diana Trout]

Thanks so much, JoAnn! The Practice Art Movement is getting it’s wings.

[Diana Trout]

I’m going to change my byline!

[Autumn]

Nonartists just don't get it, so I've learned not to put my heart out there to people who will crush it. If someone is uninterested in my work, I don't share it with them! We have to protect ourselves and allow ourselves to play! That's why blogland is so wonderful, we can share it with people who will truly GET IT! ;0 Amazing work today!

[Karenliz Henderson]

Timely post. I am consumed with practicing. I went to a picnic and a few asked if I was still doing all the arts and crafts stuff. I just said yes I love it. Others asked to see pictures. But most don't understand why my art room is worth more than my house and why I do it. If it's not going into a museum, it's not art. I started feeling self-conscious about what I do. Then my daughter said Mom, when you are in your art room you are so happy. I realized all over again that I do it because I love it whether anyone sees it or not or likes it or not. I practice almost every day. It's part of me.

[Diana Trout]

You can be comfortable within yourself with that knowledge. It sounds like you’ve taught your daughter a valuable lesson too. Most people I talk to about this understand the sports analogy pretty quickly. It is confusing though that people aren’t expected to go pro if they love basketball? Thanks for your comment.

[Diana Trout]

We are lucky these days and certainly things are better then they were. There are so many crafts and arts out there today and plenty of supplies to go around. I agree: it’s not worth it to share with people who won’t get it. And then there are the people who tell you that they wish they had that kind of time. That really is a sticking point with me!

[jan]

Diana, loved the podcast. The "art of practice" is so important to developing one's craft. Like others, I rarely show my art to those who don't inquire. I have an art room filled with my art and supplies ... it always amazes me to see those who linger, looking at everything versus those who take a quick peek and say "nice." I used to get offended, but I realize there are those who "get" my art and those who don't. I'm comfortable with that.

[Dianne C.]

I LOVED the podcast! I even took notes! one thing you said really struck me..."let go of the art school mentality. It's ok to make art that doesn't have deep meaning--I even have glitter!" lol...that is so great. and yes, I remember those awful 'critiques' where the abstract works were the professor's 'favorite' and if your drawing actually looked like the subject, well...how old school. Julie and her mom are a hoot, and I appreciated all of the insights you shared. like, "enjoy it and not feel guilty that you should be doing something more important." absolutely! it's a good thing my hubby doesn't insist on an immaculate house! thanks for all you shared...

[Andrea Harris]

I think many of us are compelled to make art--not to get better at it (though that can be a goal) but just to see where it takes us, what we can discover and what we can create.

[Chris]

It's funny that people don't see the value in practicing art and are always wondering why do it when we're not planning to sell our work, etc... yet the same people will spend an equal or greater amount of time watching TV. :/

Also, your first photo ("Stand Up - Step Forward") reminded me of the song "Step Forward" by my favorite band, Cloud Cult:

http://www.cloudcult.com/track/150826/step-forward-2005?feature_id=33134&trackship_id=280263

:)

[Diana Trout]

Ha! When folks say to me something like “You must have a lot of time on your hands.” I feel like responding “How much TV do you watch?” It’s so rude! My hands are almost always busy.

[SusanJane]

Art school critiques can go from damaging to enlightening. The right instructor and I really learned to see my work and others with a more dispassionate eye. Getting rid of the self-sensoring critic can be a life saver. Being emotional in my art is a big part of why I do it. Yet being able to stand back and see it without the emotional storms allows me to think about techniques and design. Sometimes throwing mixed media at an art journal is just what I need to do. But not always. Sometimes I'm after a specific idea and need to be more deliberate. Having learned to really see and look deeply at my art is a great tool… which is what a critique should always be about. No judgements.

[SusanJane]

When I do watch t.v. I'm making art!!! Usually color pencils on rubber stamped images. But sometimes I do simple cut paper collage with a tape runner (no mess). Most people passively watch t.v. just unthinking input. Ask them what they watched last night and try to get details. Unless it's a cult show for them, it's just Law & Order or something else, and totally mind numbing. Artists tend to have music or public radio on instead -- sort of a rational mind distraction! But not mind numbing.

[Diana Trout]

When I think back on it, there was only one teacher who gave really nasty critiques. He was my inner critique and what an mean spirited person/artist. Many of us - in his drawing class - wound up submitting work that looked like his rather than be on the receiving end. He responded well to that. I had many teachers who were really great though as you describe. Since art school, I’ve been in many art groups and some of the critiques there have been horrendous! This is a real problem that artists have. If someone is harshly criticizing your work, you need to walk away with the knowledge that he/she has a confidence crisis.

[Diana Trout]

I do the same thing. I spend a lot of time alone during the day and find the sound of voices very soothing.

[Libby Lamour]

Talent = Passion. This has been a huge aha moment for me. I could never make sense of my huge passion for making art alongside what seemed to me like a total lack of talent (comparing myself with a sister who gets commissions for portraits at $10,000 a time). Reading your post brought me to a new knowing, that my passion is talent, and all I have to do is open the flood gates - more and more - to my creativity and experimentation that flows out on the page. Joy.