Looking for design inspiration?   Browse our curated collections!

Return to Main Discussion Page
Discussion Quote Icon

Discussion

Main Menu | Search Discussions

Search Discussions
 
 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Should Your Art Be More Challenging ?

If someone views your work and has a more or less instant understanding of it is it not challenging enough? Perhaps too simple or easy? How about if the walk away from it muttering "I just don't get it." Too hard or complicated?" Which is better?

Reply Order

Post Reply
 

Edward Fielding

8 Years Ago

Good question. I suppose it should fall somewhere in the middle between -

"Look someone snapped a photo of a squirrel!"

to

"Ha ha ha, just think how much this artist's parents spent sending him to art school."

On end of the scale are they admiring your craftsmanship? "Wow that is an amazing mountain scene. It looks like a photograph."

On the other perhaps they are shaking their head and wondering if it was hung upside down.

 

Is the assumption that art should be challenging or have some kind of mesage? There is lots more to art than just a message or a story. How about beauty. How about appeal? There is no "one way" and there will always be an over abundance of mutterers and "I just don't getters".

Which is the better? The better is the purchasers that walk away with it under their arms. One has to leaf through all the others to get to them.

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

The only thing I care about is whether they open their wallet and buy it :D

- Richard Reeve
ReevePhotos.com

 

David King

8 Years Ago

I'm with Glenn, I'm not interested in challenging the viewer, I want them to feel something positive, to have enjoyed viewing my art, not be tested by it. There are enough things that test/stress us in our daily lives. My art is about enjoying the simple things, an effort to counteract the complexity of modern life in at least some small way.

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

That is sort of the question Glenn, depends on if you look at art, as design (Something pleasant on the wall) or a form of communication. Are you as an artist only interested in making a sell or our you interested in communicating something about the human condition and how you fit in?

 

Vincent Von Frese

8 Years Ago

In my world I'm not interested in anything beyond working on something I like.

 

Ally White

8 Years Ago

I don't really care what any ONE person thinks. My art sells, I pay my bills, and I create whatever I like.
I learned a long time ago that the secret of life is to be TRUE TO YOURSELF.

 

Alfred Ng

8 Years Ago

No, just look at Picasso's painting of the doe with few simple lines is a powerful message of peace and it reach all ages and understood instantly.

 

Sharon Cummings

8 Years Ago

Perfect answer Ally!

 

David King

8 Years Ago

Just because an image hanging on the wall is pleasing to look at it's not communication? Really? Thanks for the put down Ron.

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Are you as an artist only interested in making a sell or our you interested in communicating something about the human condition and how you fit in?

I'm guessing that, as this is a discussion on a POD site, we're all interested in selling. Otherwise we would only bother with 500px or flickr or even better instagram for a huge audience ...

- Richard Reeve
ReevePhotos.com

 

Communication comes in many forms. Sometimes the form is "that just relaxes my mind". Most artists have a variety of impressions that they work on because it challenges "them". Besides... artist's tend to be a moody bunch. In touch with the other side of their libidos supposedly.

 

Vincent Von Frese

8 Years Ago

Why should any artist's work be challenging to anyone other than themselves?

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

David don't be so thin skinned. Can a work which has pleasing qualities also be communicating something? Does all communication need be negative? Guess that one depends on your outlook on life. You yourself talk about the reason for your work as being something positive an escape from the stress of life. That sounds like a desire to communicate to me.

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Glenn I agree. Vincent if the work is challenging to yourself it stands to reason it would challenge someone else as well.

 

CHERYL EMERSON ADAMS

8 Years Ago

It's the never-changing, ever-changing question... should art be [fill in the blank]?

Whatever word you fill the blank with, there's going to be some art for which that word is irrelevant to what the artist and/or the viewer want or value in art.

 

Vincent Von Frese

8 Years Ago

Then this is a confirmation from you that one should not be wasting time making and creating art for the purpose of pleasing the status quo where sales are more than less guaranteed.

Challenging can be intimidating to the majority but the majority is never right!

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Half the fun of art is the endless debate that can be generated. The way I view it is if the artist is at least aware of various potentials of art some of it will filter down into their being and help them be better artist. For example if you make a great case for the superiority of the color red over the color blue it could cause me to think about it a bit. I might find myself doing paintings with more red in them someday, assuming I find myself still agreeing with the argument after a period of time.

 

Xueling Zou

8 Years Ago

I prefer creative :)...

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

You as an artist can expect to be challenged. I don't care what kind of work you do or how good or bad you are. You will be challenged. Debates like this are a way of prepping for such challenges so you are not blindly broadsided. You will have already thought about various issues, considered where you stand and how you will respond to them. That is the use of this type of question for the artist.

 

All moot.

I care; but not enough. ;-)

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

I guess if you just remain on this site and sell prints and products from the site and don't do things like the discussion page, you might avoid being challenged. If you do not view print sales from a POD site to be the end all of art then at sometime you will venture forth and display in galleries, fairs, museums wherever. As soon as this takes place that is when you can expect challenges to happen. This site is cool because you can prepare yourself for these challenges in advance. Toss out ideas, see how others respond and be able to formulate your responses in your own time and space.

 

Ronald, I did all those things before bringing my art online or using POD services. (Well, not museums . . . yet!)

I've never cared what people think of or have to say about me or my art. However, I'm good with words, and can always come up with a verbal or written response to a challenge. In fact, I enjoy doing so, and know it's inevitable in this crazy business.

Which still doesn't mean that I care.

The only person I set out to challenge with my art is myself; and I consider every finished piece an accomplishment.

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Awesome Wendy! One quick question about not caring about what others think of your art. Is that because you feel you can not learn from anyone or something else?

 

I've learned plenty, and continue to do so every single day. (Gotta love the Internet!)

However, the way I interpret and choose to utilize what I learn is specific to me. Everything you see in one of my images is a deliberate choice, whether or not the viewer appreciates (or is challenged by) it.

I can learn until I drop; I'm good at learning. But I can't create for the viewer(s) -- I can only create for myself.

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Nice!

 

Glad you think so. Did I rise to the challenge? ;-)

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Wendy, you are a person who most likely had to lower yourself a bit to the challenge.

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

Ronald,

I create for others. I somehow doubt any of our work stays on their minds for very long.

Yes they will know my work after seeing some of it. And reactions will vary. I doubt it matters beyond some entertainment
or decor purposes.

I do not challenge the viewers. I may verbally get into it with them, but I do not care. I challenged myself in art school to do
something different. I met that challenge. Now I want to cash in.

I took it down a level to stop from challenging potential buyers and entice them into buying....it is only decor. So I create
as I said for others. I understand how most people see art. That does not mean I challenge them. Or they me.

Dave

 

@ Ronald --

;-)

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

David are you working on commission or are you creating what you think others might want? Is it working for you, sales wise? Are you content with what you do, some type of self fulfillment perhaps?

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

Ron,

This summer I moved over to decor, upped my production numbers considerably and am contacting designers in goodly numbers now.

Who knows how it will do. It is too early to know. I have paid my dues to FAA ($30) and taken my chances. It is a calculated risk.

Dave

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Know its early but are you getting much response from the designers?

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

If someone views your work and has a more or less instant understanding of it is it not challenging enough? Perhaps too simple or easy? How about if the walk away from it muttering "I just don't get it." Too hard or complicated?" Which is better?

Ron,

You are struggling to understand how your art will be received by the public in a different gallery setting. With a new contract.

It is a calculated risk. Or not?

I am not saying you are struggling a lot. I am saying you are sorting out how your art impacts your sales.

I have calculated my risks as time and $30 plus $10/month for PS and $55 four times a year to register work. The time is free. Donated by this great guy, I know. lol

The advantage I have with the POD over your particular gallery setting is that I can sell a print many times over......if I ever get to selling my work.

Selling art is only about getting the art in front of someone who will buy the art. I might be beginning to achieve that finally. Designer projects can take
months, certainly weeks of planning. So I need to contact designers on a repetitive basis every other month. I just need to be there at the right time when
a designer needs some artwork and already has seen my work several times. That process could take over two years.

You on the other hand sell your original and need to produce more.

I can do what I am doing after age 60 or retirement age 67 with some easy. Just my thoughts.

Dave

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

@Ron,

Yes I am getting a response from designers. But not at stages in their projects where they must buy a work of art.

I am getting responses out of Miami, NYC and LA. They are mainly things like, "I will keep your work in mind".
The majority of my outreach gets no response. But a majority stay as contacts for further outreach. No one has to
say anything ever. So "i will keep you in mind" is a very important beginning to me. Not a fiction at all.

I need a repetitiveness in how I email them. About every other month.

Addition: and Atlanta and NC....as well...

Addition number two: I sussed out the Middle East and wasted a good bit of marketing to designers there. There was one reponse
from a new designer who is desperate. It seems the money is running out for building projects in the ME as oil is much lower in price.
The middle east according to my research was in a building boom. That is waning.

The EU is also a bit more rocky economically.

The US is seeing incremental improvements that are regional. NYC is a bit more mixed than Atlanta, NC, and Miami.
The US in general is an easier sell for an artist who is using FAA and economically is better off than the rest of the world.

China is really on the rocks. I avoid any contacts anyway, because I do not like their views on IP.

I am at odds whether to trust Indian designers with my IP and do not know how deep their wallets are.

Remember in the ME, India and China the cultural differences might at times exclude any of our art styles. So why waste the effort?
I am not saying do not waste the effort. I am asking why?

Dave

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

Time will tell, true. FYI, two things about the gallery, first they produce limited edition prints which are sold online as well as selling the original works. Secondly they have their cliental and know how to market , which takes off a lot of pressure. Years ago I found a painting and sold it in auction for a bit of money. There is no way in the world I could of personally found people with such deep pockets. I think if you can find a few designers who use your work it would work in a similar fashion.

 

VIVA Anderson

8 Years Ago

No comment....changed my mind....

 

Sarah Kersey

8 Years Ago

Dave - Have you tapped into the hotel franchises and corporate lease people?

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

N?, oh!

 

Andy PYRAH

8 Years Ago

Should my art be more challenging?
Yes.

Am I prepared to challenge myself?
Not with the present sate of my life. But maybe soon. At the moment I have enough challenges - one of which is actually picking up a paintbrush.

I have learnt that normally phrases like "I will keep you in mind", along with " I will keep that in mind", or "I will think about it", are a polite way of saying "Thanks, but no thanks".

 

Shana Rowe Jackson

8 Years Ago

I'm more interested in challenging myself than the viewer.

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

More like therapy?

 

Andy PYRAH

8 Years Ago

If it was therapy I'd be doing it now.
However a strong lack of motivation suppresses that.

 

Vincent Von Frese

8 Years Ago

I challenge all the big sellers to slow down and study rather than constantly make what they think is art.

 

Shana Rowe Jackson

8 Years Ago

I find art to be very therapeutic, and yet it also drives me crazy at the same time, it's a double edge sword.

 

Mario Carta

8 Years Ago

I don't know Ronald, but I don't often get the reaction "I Don't Get It" as far as I can tell, and yet I know my work evokes enough interest where people actually tell me they like my sculptures and they buy them, some love it so much they by multiple pieces as has often happened. I never really set out to achieve either of the outcomes mentioned in the OP. I have a general idea of what I want to sculpt but often times as I am working with the copper anything about the metal can make me change my mind and then really the sculpture takes on a shape or texture and form of it's own, I simple try to focus on those elements and work to make it stand out or follow the way the metal reacts. Simple put I focus on the sculpture not the outcome I want or the reaction I want to the sculpture. The sculpture must above all things please me first, nothing can come before that.

 

Jason Christopher

8 Years Ago

well i need to think about it.. u know.. days and daze and days... erm... may be, may be not.

 

Kevin Callahan

8 Years Ago

I vacillate between making art with a nice accessible story and making large art that I know will only talk to me. In that work I am compelled. Others will view it with skepticism and ask for an explanation. It is always inadequate but I have made the art and that is that.

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

Dave - Have you tapped into the hotel franchises and corporate lease people?

Sarah,

Yes and No. I contact designers, but I do not get too deep into what they design. Yes I have sent messages
to people who specialize in hotel design. But I had information on how to get into two major hotel chain vetting systems.
The problem is that after you get on their list of approved vendors, you are expected to give massive discounts.
And you need a three year history, which I do not have. Communications with the vetting departments is very poor
for the vendors. So I gave the direct approach to hotels a pass.

Dave

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

I have learnt that normally phrases like "I will keep you in mind", along with " I will keep that in mind", or "I will think about it", are a polite way of saying "Thanks, but no thanks".

Andy,

So do you quit?

I have learned that most buyers on average have to see your artwork six to seven times before they have made their purchase.

So if you are quitting after someone is "polite" with you, you have made a huge mistake.

Remember no one you contact ever has to get back you at all. But you quit.

Dave

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

I don't know Ronald, but I don't often get the reaction "I Don't Get It" as far as I can tell,

Mario, Ronald,

Ronald has to get the "I Dont get it" response. That is the response most or all surrealism gets.

There is no way around that.

That does not mean it will not sell. Polite or not polite it can sell very easily.

Dave

Rebuttal to post below.

Ronald,

Yes from fellow artists I have gotten flack. But I am never advertizing to fellow artists. So the responses are quite different from non artists.
I can not say all positive, nor would I want to. But I get plenty of positive feedback from many quarters. What I am saying to Andy
is do not quit when someone is positive towards your art. I think that is simple. I do not quit negative or positive. You want an objection
to make a sale.

I see your work as surrealistic. You need to explain why it is not. I do not see it as other wise. People might be missing the
deeper meanings. Dali would have said his work has deeper meanings as well.

Superficial? Your paint is only one to two millimeters deep. That is all we have to go on. lol

Dave

 

Ronald Walker

8 Years Ago

First of all I am not nor have ever been a surreal artist. There are major differences in the work if one looks past the purely superficial. David I think you are fooling yourself thinking you don't get that reaction. There have been threads which have almost talked about nothing else! With that thanks for the input everyone! I am going to close this thread.Rebuttal to post above, In truth Dave, I need not explain anything. If you were to study the basic tenants of Surrealism you could find a few which coincide, such as the use of the subconscious mind (Also in common with Dada) and many more that do not line up. I lack for example, psychic automatism, interest in dreams and a reliance on Freudian thought. One more thing my work is deeper than yours. That thought is based on the layers of paint being deeper than the pixels. ;)

 

This discussion is closed.