The theme has been Justified. The form has Oneness. The content has Yielded results. Is there JOY?
whY is it finished? Have you, the maker, said all that needs to be said? Can you put it out there? Are the sum of the parts in relationship with the maker, consistent and integrated?
What others 'get' from a piece of art is arbitrary. Hopefully their flame has been fanned. But did you 'Get' it? Art, good art, needs to convey something of the artist.
Lighting a fire is really only a beginning. Once lit it needs to be cared for so it can achieve its purpose. What is the purpose of the fire? Food, warmth, safety, light, signalling, propulsion, cleansing, comradeship, enjoyment ...
Artists perform a vital service to mankind. They feel the pulse of society and then challenge and stimulate the norm. They make the pause in life's busyness and fast freeze that which needs a closer look. They help to see something in a fresh way. Isn't this beautiful? Isn't this important? Isn't this sad? Even, is this art?
There is a yearning in the artist to express what is internally felt. When we neglect to feed the flame within us creativity is smothered and everyone suffers. Hopefully we can keep the fire burning brightly and that it is done for the JOY set before us.
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I do understand that this is a technique blog and I have no physical project to show for the few months of gnashing my teeth about what to do. but... I do hope that like me, followers of the fire blog will give some thought to techniques that can feed our creative fires. I even hope you will share them.
If you have been following along, Thank You. The fire blog offers a wonderful resource to all artists, beginners as well as the experienced. Thanks to Beth and all her contributors. May we all successfully handle the fire! :)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings in your three articles. Since English is not my first language, I think it is difficult to react on your words. But I agree that we have to keep the fire burning, over and over again, and that the fire gives new ideas an impulses to other projects and persons. Playing with your creativity keeps you healthy and rich.
ReplyDeleteFor me, a lot of thought will be the result of your "firy" words ;-)
ReplyDeleteThese articles were a nice change, thought provoking...and encouraging too. Thank you for sharing your words.
ReplyDeleteWell said! Too easy to get caught up in technique and forget the key to art making...otherwise we are manufacturing which is very different and soul-less. Thank you for your encouragement.
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