How Do You Challenge Yourself As An Artist?

I do not challenge the creative process....anything forced would not be natural and my series and mediums morph naturally.
With the pressure of time constraints, you'd never be allowed to sit ith something that needs further study or contemplation.

Marlene -
Can you expand on that thought a bit more?

Most of the time I agree with Marlene, I just keep working and allow my work to morph from one to the next. I started out mostly as a portrait painter with a expressionistic flair. I was doing a self portrait and try as I might could not get the hand right. Finally I threw my brush down and told myself I was going to draw two hundred hands before I returned to the painting. I did this returned to the painting and low and behold botched the hand again. Threw the painting out with the idea of never having to deal with it again. About ten years latter a friend of mine who owned an antique store could hardly contain himself when I visited his store. He insisted that I went into the bathroom of the store to check out the "New decoration". Over the toilet hung my portrait botched hand and all. He had purchased it the week prior in Santa Barbara at a curio shop. Sigh, brings me to a quote I read once, no idea who said it, "Never try, never fail".

Ronald Walker

3 Minutes Ago

"Never try, never fail".

Well said, Ronald. Well said. Thanks. That wil be added to my Favorite Quotes list. It goes hand in hand (no pun intended) with another favorite quote... "Behold the turtle. He never gets ahead unless he sticks his neck out."

As a photographer, I am still trying to learn pacing or panning shots. I've had more luck panning moving objects than pacing them in a car, which seems like it should be the other way around somehow.

Joseph C Hinson Photography
I've had more luck panning moving objects than pacing them in a car, which seems like it should be the other way around somehow.

Thanks for replying Joe. Could the movement (vibration) of the car over the road have some negative affect...blur?

i come up with ideas then see if i can do them. hard to explain other than to take the time to make it good as i can. then use what i learned on the last one and use it first. saves time, until i make up a new trick or idea.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

"How Do You Challenge Yourself As An Artist?"

Im always learning from those better than myself. Always searching for techniques that I like to implement in my work.

Bill,

I guess I would have to say that I'm a better "artist" now than a photographer,even a few years back. By artist, I mean that I've grown by learning software programs and then using them to enhance or even create new images from my photographs. Lately, I've been using the Topaz Impression software to enhance my images,which I couldn't have done, even a few years back.
An advantage I have, is that before being a professional photographer, I was a Master printer and that was my business,making prints for professionals and Ad Agency's etc. So I know that almost any original can be improved in the darkroom and now in the "LightRoom"! Pun intended.

So I challenge myself almost everyday now, to create better images from either old images,which I call "Dumpster Diving" or from new digital images. And I like what I see and what I'm creating now. I'm 65,soon to be 66 and feel as young as ever,when I have a camera in my hand or a keyboard at my fingertips.

Growth,continual growth is the challenge and not producing the same image, day after day, month after month or year after year. If people see that they are at a standstill, hit the wall or are bored by what they are making and creating as artists, they need to challenge themselves to "grow", in a different direction,play and come up with mistakes and then play some more,since when the "play" is gone, it's just a job then,huh?

If you would like, I'll post an example of what I'm saying above and how as an artist, I "SEE" differently now........

Rich

Pick a topic you haven't attempted, and make it great.. When you keep selecting the same topic, one tends to stagnate, stagnation leads to less impressive work, or worse, boredom. You work will suffer if it is not engaging to create it.. However, it's important that every piece "looks" like it was made by you, style and continuity of style are key, subject aside..

Mike Savad

"i come up with ideas then see if i can do them. hard to explain other than to take the time to make it good as i can"

Sounds good Mike. Expamples?
Thanks.

Rich Franco


Please do post an example. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to see it. Thanks.

When I started painting then was a kid and they would challenge me with topics. Okay last time you did a still life with oranges, now see if you can do a glass jar, or landscape. Later it was do this plein air landscape in a different season, change the clothing, pose, etc. So it is always natural for me to look for a new 'angle'.

But I don't challenge myself with production goals. I've been labeled a daydreamers since birth; it's the main comment on every report card I have from grade school. As irritating as it is to the observer I have no doubt that this dreaming time is critical to my creation process. I'm similar to Marlene in that my art takes as long as it takes. Sure I can do it faster and it might not substantially affect my work but certainly affects my enjoyment.

I love challenges but not deadlines.
-- mary ellen anderson

Up until now, I haven't challenged it. Maybe it's worthwhile in terms of intentional growth. I will ponder. :-)

i've been trying to make a good airship, since i can't really draw


this was the first, it sort of came out.


this was my second attempt, but i found a model of a blimp so, at least i have the right shape. tried new things using bridge parts. learned how to make spotlights, netting, and some other things.


this was probably too colorful for steampunk, and the patches don't look quite right. but i learned how to make backgrounds from my other smaller images. and i learned to do some things with sails.


this is my latest one, the backgrounds are smoother, the city is better but still needs work. i tried new tricks with the balloon part using lots of patchwork spheres. using the netting idea from the last one, formed the main nets. in the background i figured out a new way to make blimps, so i may play with that idea more.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

John Wills

"Pick a topic you haven't attempted, and make it great.".
John. More good advise. As for your comment "it's important that every piece "looks" like it was made by you, style and continuity of style are key, subject aside."

I understand where you're coming from, John, on that one and I don't deny it's validity but I, personally, don't place too much importance on conciously worrying about my "style". What I'm most likely to be concentrating on when I'm painting is striving to make the painting feel like something. Thanks much for your insight.

John Wills

"Pick a topic you haven't attempted, and make it great.".
John. More good advise. As for your comment "it's important that every piece "looks" like it was made by you, style and continuity of style are key, subject aside."

I understand where you're coming from, John, on that one and I don't deny it's validity but I, personally, don't place too much importance on conciously worrying about my "style". What I'm most likely to be concentrating on when I'm painting is striving to make the painting feel like something. Thanks much for your insight.

Mary Ellen Anderson

Long live Daydreamers! Where would this world be without us. Thank you for that, Mary Ellen.

then of course there is inspiration that carries into the next piece


i liked the color combo on the blue spirals, and mixed with the green, that idea carried into the next one


which i only ended up using a minor piece of it. however the mushrooms i made from real mushrooms that i placed textures over them. in this piece i learned how to make fake grass to repair scale and hide edges. the ivy came from another piece.


from one, came this one. the mushrooms were easier to make than i thought and i was able to make these using texture overlays using a stripe pattern i had. again carrying the grass over into this one as well.


which then carried into this piece, using more mushrooms and a mushroom shaped house. this one gave me background ideas i may play with later on. and of course if the mushroom series works, then i'll make more.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Mike Savad

"i've been trying to make a good airship, since i can't really draw"

Thanks for the great example Mike. Looks to me like you're certainly making progress. I discovered Steampunk a couple of years ago and love so many pieces like yours that I have seen. My interest in Steampunk probably is an outgrowth of my love of aviation art.

Mike Savad

"then of course there is inspiration that carries into the next piece"


Nice sequence example! Thanks.

Bill, I like the story of your '100 Paintings' challenge! Competing against the clock (and/or calendar) is a tried and true method of shaking things up. Back in my days of traditional photography, I'd do things like that to re-route my creativity -- to force myself to 'see' differently. :-)

My self-challenges are simple, and usually involve trying to successfully do something I've never done before. That might involve using a technique I've only previously seen or heard about, learning to use new software, or trying an exhibit or marketing idea that I, for whatever reason, thought was 'impossible'.

Along the way I've learned that *nothing* is impossible . . . some things just take a lot more training, preparation, practice, or nerve, to make them happen!

If you make enough art, over a long enough span of time, elements of 'personal style' will always creep into your work. But unlike many artists, I have little interest in the concept of deliberate style. I prefer to let my mind take the lead in that regard. New thoughts, fresh ideas, exciting concepts, colors, and forms -- for me, that's what it's all about, despite what I may have done yesterday. Working that way, in itself, can be quite the challenge! :-)

Wendy. Beautifully stated! Thanks for sharing your insight.

You're welcome, Bill -- thank you for the thoughtful discussion topic!

Not sure what else I could expand on except to say that the creative process flows for me.....ideas come in and I move from one series to another. The process holds the reins.
The last challenges I had were in college with assignments.

Marty Saccone

20 Hours Ago

"Sounds like I misunderstood the initial question, sorry"

Marty- Nothing to be sorry about as far as I'm concerned. Glad to have your input any day. Thanks.

Ana Belle

19 Hours Ago

"it IS a challenge to me-- finding words through emotions. of course it is a challenge and it needs to be exercised as well."

Ana- Couldn't agree more. Thanks.

Jenny Rainbow

17 Hours Ago

Bill: Reminds me of one of my fav quotes "Making art IS work. It only LOOKS like play." unkn.

'.......So for me - Making Art IS PLAY, sell it IS HARD WORK"

Thanks Jenny. The context of the original quote, from what I remember of the interview with the unknown artist and I agree, is that he/she was responding to the people (and there are many of them out there) who think being an artist isn't real "work" but just a bunch of playing around. Thus the oft heard expression "Well, if you really love what you're doing why should you get paid for it?" So, how do I say "naive"? Not you... them.

Bill, all our life is a big game and the most precious and valuable challenge is life itself. And its important how you praise and value yourself. All remember that guy who allowed himself to get the price for the work of 6,5 million dollars. He dares, he values himself and he counts that his work deserve such money. Doesnt mean that his work is really deserves such money - but he DOES think this way - he believes in it without any doubts and that why he is getting such money from Universe - its actually the Univers' law - for how much you value yourself as much you are receiving from the life.

Jenny Rainbow

2 Hours Ago


"And its important how you praise and value yourself. ...Doesnt mean that his work is really deserves such money - but he DOES think this way - he believes in it without any doubts and that why he is getting such money from Universe - its actually the Univers' law - for how much you value yourself as much you are receiving from the life."

Thanks Jenny. Interesting statement. I'm not familiar with the person you speak of, but from what I get from your reply, it sounds to me like he has a very positive self image. Key words in your above statement, I feel, are "think" and "believes" which seems to support a theory that states:

"All human beings act and feel and perform in accordance with what they imagine (believe) to be true about themselves and their environment."

-The New Psyco-Cybernetics Maxwell Maltz, M.D., F.I.C.S.

Dear Bill,

The statement: "All human beings act and feel and perform in accordance with what they imagine (believe) to be true about themselves and their environment." is so true!!! :-)

Kelley Lee McDonald

3 Minutes Ago

Dear Bill,

"The statement: "All human beings act and feel and perform in accordance with what they imagine (believe) to be true about themselves and their environment." is so true!!! :-)"

I have come to believe it is. Thanks Kelley.

Bill, Im talking about photographer who is famous for now especially because of his last sale - Peter Lik: https://fstoppers.com/landscapes/what-65-million-dollar-photograph-looks-49113

"How Do You Challenge Yourself As An Artist?"
By challenging the status quo.

Thanks Jenny.

Drew
"How Do You Challenge Yourself As An Artist?"
"By challenging the status quo."

Example?

By delving into the subconscious of social denial.


Thanks for asking

You're welcome, Drew. Thanks for the example.

Here's an interesting challenge. Have you ever done a painting in one color, that "color" being black? Not shades of grey and no white added.

Yes.
I didn't like it so I've painted a seagull flying across it.
I think it's a lot better now.

Well, 'painting' to look like a blackboard isn't really a challenge..........I do challenge myself a lot with black and white images though......they are an acquired taste if the b/w become ominous. I don't mind ominous...does it sell? who knows, not me...ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-

There are lots of challenges — try different mediums, a very large painting, one smaller than you've ever done, all one color, try a subject never done before, attempt a new skill, change of scenery(paint outdoors!!!), set a goal, even if only one painting a week, but do it as well as you can.......I guess these can be challenges. Just setting up and framing more artworks, can be a challenge for me! Depends on how you look at the word "challenge!!

Started thinking about a new animation project or two. Been spending a lot of time in south Florida and took some detailed photos of Egyptian artifacts at the museum of science and history south Florida. One of the animation projects will be to create an Egyptian tomb scene. Another animation project is to create an Eve 4.0 fembot host that will appear in a series of educational documentaries as a guide and make commentaries.

Painting with just black? how about instead of paint and brush but just paper with X-Acto knife?

Andy, Vivian, Alfred-Thanks. I would like to show you the "black" painting I entered in the exhibit, but I can't seem to download it to this discussion since it's not on my Profile page. Any suggestions?

Mary- great challenges. Just not all at once. lol Thanks.

Drew-sounds challenging to me. Hope we see the results some time.

Alfred- I haven't done any scratchboard since I was in college (wow almost 50 years ago) but I've been thinking of trying it out again. Thanks for the example.

Thanks Bill, the prelude to the new project took 8 years to complete. LOL.

Drew-
Very sweet video!

Rome wasn't built in a day!

The only challenge in the creative process is to find out what else I can make my photo manipulation software do - and I'm still 'discovering' stuff - it wasn't meant, I don't think, to create abstracts. Last year, I needed to have a larger portfolio of my digital abstracts - the challenge - create 100 new ones in three months - since many of them take over 4 hours - and some get 'lost' {I overload the program and it shuts down - and I didn't save the last step}. The challenge was 100 in square format - I now have two galleries of them:

Square Format Gallery one

Square Format Gallery two

Roy- Thanks for that. 100 seems to be a magical number especially when one is challenging one's abilities.

I00 (and beyond) is also a challenge I've set for myself age wise. 100 years old, still painting and creating art, as well as other good things. I'll know in about 32 years if I succeed! Stay tuned! :-)

There are so many things I want to paint that I don't ,have to challenge myself as such. Each new painting is a challenge in it's self.

"Each new painting is a challenge in it's self."

How true! I guess if each new one isn't a challenge then either it's not worth the effort or maybe we're not trying hard enough, no? Thanks for your insight, Andy.

Bill Tomsa

billtomsa.blogspot.com/

RE: How do I challenge myself as an artist.

Just getting out of bed at 80 is a challenge.......And not saying, " Screw It" every time things don't go as planned

Roger- your can always try painting in bed! Oh wait... then you can't stand back to look at it. Never mind.:-)

Bill Tomsa

billtomsa.blogspot.com/