Original Art, and By a Slough, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

By a Slough, 2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

 

 

When an artists looks at a subject with the idea of painting it, the goal should almost never to be to duplicate or replicate what is seen.  A camera can do that.  The artist should, because of skill, training, and practice be able to do it, but copying should never be the goal of making a good painting.

 

Selective principals of design should be combined with the ideas of the artist, and the skill and tools of the artist, to portray the subject in a way that incorporates the  artist's unique way of seeing.  Somehow, during the process of creation, there should be an arc of transformation during which the subject looses it's former identity and becomes something new, with the final result distinctive and identifiable to the creator. This is original work. 

 

I believe that this is true of the creative process in all artistic disciplines.   Make sense to you? 

More on Original, and Peaceful Morning, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Peaceful Morning, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

I recently wrote about making original art.  Its been said that nothing is truly original.  So how do we grow as artists?  Does our inspiration come from our deep within our own brain, or is it triggered by something we see?  The answer may be a little of both.   

Art History should be  a part of what every artist knows.  We look  at the art of those who came before us.  We also look at the work of our contemporaries, to see what they are doing.  When we look at the work of others, what happens?  Some assessing and some absorbing, and yes, maybe even some borrowing.  But not stealing.   

I know that I'm personally interested in seeing what other artists have done or are doing, particularly the work of other landscape painters.  I often see something that I am drawn to in other artists work.  I might post a copy of what interests me on my inspiration board, and look at it for days, trying to understand the technique or appreciating the delicateness of the work.  Some of this will stay with me, and when the opportunity arises I might try the technique or use the color combination in a part of my painting.   

 

Artists are always learning, and exploring the work of others doing similar work is part of that process.  It's part of determining where your own work fits in the context of where you stand as an artist in the world today.  After you build a strong foundation of knowledge, your own work will have the strength to stand on its own.

What is original art? Summer Sky, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Summer Sky, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 12"x24"

My paintings are all original works of art.   I said this to someone in the studio recently and wasn't sure they understood.  I don't mean to sound preachy about it, but want to define what making original art means to me. 

Getting my response to a subject down on canvas in a meaningful way is the challenge of being original.  Over and over again, never quite able to do nature justice.  Growing and learning along the way, every day.  Doing it my way, while respectfully mindful of the knowledge and history of artists before me and beside me. 

Familiarity with the subject.  For me,  the Everglades and the South Florida environment.  I spend a lot of time in the Everglades, and outside in general.  Certain aspects of the landscape are more interesting than others on any given day, but the fabulous Everglades landscape that I love never fails to inspire me.

This almost always has something to do with the way light plays on or around the subject.  Sometimes light reveals the object, sometimes defines it, and sometimes it invades an object or area in a way not often seen.  When it's not light, it's color, or a combination of light and color.  I'm inspired to create a painting of THAT in a way that is from the heart and uniquely mine. 

Copying or reproducing are not part of original, although they may have a valued place in some artist business plans.   Observing something special and exploring ways to portray it are what makes an original work of art no matter the genre.  At least that's my take on original. 

Today's painting, Summer Sky is an original work of art.  The inspiration for today's painting is a little piece of the Everglades that I find quite peaceful and love to visit.  I love the way the marsh falls off to the right, and the shapes of the hardwood hammocks in the distance.  This particular day the rainy season clouds were building on the horizon, but there was no real threat of rain. 

Have a Happy Halloween!   

Young art Collectors, Swamp Light daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Swamp Light, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

 

Yes, young people are buying original art.  Only a small portion have the guts and money to go into a nuts and bolts gallery.  Besides, they really don't like anyone telling them what they should like, and many don't have the money for large, prestigious purchases.

 

They're finding their art in new ways, and often on the Internet.  In this no-man's land a new collector can browse at ease.  They can look at a piece again and again.  They can read a blog, learn about an artist, check out what's new and find something to love at a price they can see and know they can afford to spend.  All in relative anonymity.  

 

The savvy ones can leave a comment and see if the artist will answer in a way that speaks their language.  They might email back and forth about a piece to help them take the measure of an artist.  If they don't like the interaction, they can drop out before they have to commit.  

 

If a young person finds art to suit them, it's a win-win.  They've been exposed to a lot of different work in the hunt for their special piece.  Connections are being made in new ways, and as an artist, you've got to be out there, if only because that's where they are.