Reasons Why Artists Can Be Hard to Understand

Did you ever feel that someone is simply from out of this world? It’s a fact that we are all unique in our own ways, but if we pay close attention to artists, we can all agree that they belong to a category which can be characterized and studied in a certain way.

Artists have a special ability to express their feelings, impressions, and memories through a different type of art, and we genuinely appreciate what they do, but that does not get us any closer to understanding them, right? Therefore, this article highlights why artists are difficult to handle compared to people in general. 

1)    They have a creative mind

The fact is, artists don’t have the same deduction system or system of values as others, and that’s the reason why we find it hard to understand or follow their train of thought. Also, their minds tick a bit differently than the average person’s, because diverse details move it.

2)    They think of their work as their children

It’s imperative to find a way to appreciate their work if you want to get close to an artist. If you have a problem understanding it, I’m sure you will get an explanation (and don’t discuss with how reasonable it is) if you ask for one.

3)    They are irrational and emotional when in love

Artists usually look like they are gliding above the earth, but when they fall in love, they are almost flying. Be sure they will do anything to show their affection – in a different way. Also, you better not be there if things don’t turn out the way as they planned, because they can fall into deep anguish really quickly.

4)    They express through codes

Speaking of emotions and feelings, the artist tends to express them through their art. That is how they communicate. If they give a piece of art to you, spend a lot of time around you or give you substantial looks you don’t fully understand, you should know they are just trying to show that you are important to them.

5)    Some artists prefer not to be understood

It is one of those irritating characteristics of some artists. They live in their world, and you should be positive that they like it there, so don’t even try to move them or place them in the real world, because not a single artist will like it there.

6)    Some artists find it hard to adjust

Which brings the discussion to the next point – if you do move them from their place, don’t expect them to fit in. Also, you might run into a social butterfly (there’s a small group of them which act like that), but the chances are very minimal.

In conclusion, they can be difficult to understand or handle, but that’s nothing you can’t figure out with just a bit of patience. We hope you’ll find these pointers insightful. Remember they contribute to making our world a better, and more beautiful place to live in. 

Why Art is So Important for Some People by Carole Feuerman

Some people are born with a natural tendency to love and admire art. They appreciate the colors in different things around them and develop artistic skills from a young age. These people start to take interest in art, coloring, and painting to fuel their curiosity and then finally form a lasting passion for art. Furthermore, they try to find new ways to practice their art skill and learn about the different range of options they can draw, color, or paint. 

Many artists worldwide develop key concepts and enhance their learning of art and how things can be portrayed, examined, or influenced through art. In more ways, they try to take inspiration from anything that they can find and draw it on the canvas. It is not just about drawing or painting for them. Some of these artists can even use stone, clay, or even thrown away garbage to make something interesting. They have a thought process that can quickly comprehends different complicated things and turn them into something interesting. Artists are always confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, creative, and equipped for success. They can use their imagination, expression, and thinking to create some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking masterpieces of art.

 The motivation for an Artist

The best motivation for an artist is to take inspiration from different aspects of the world and get influenced by it, whether politics, freedom of expression, culture, social issues, a representation of an idea or an expression, or for just bringing about change. They can express such aspects through the use of art, and people would appreciate them as the most difficult or complicated subjects. 

 Qualities of an Artist

There are many different qualities of an artist, but the best ones, which are most important are:A deeper understanding of the things and subjects that revolve around them, such as thinking and analytical skills to include critical thinking and problem-solving. Able to present complex and sophisticated subjects more easily through art. Independent ability to analyze and look at things from a different perspective.

 Artists view the world differently, which isn’t something which can be done by an average person. However, they need opportunities to develop their art practice, enrich their learning and understanding of the key concepts in art, and use their new skills. 

There are many different branches and areas in the art that an artist can choose from, depending upon their abilities. They range from painting, coloring, sketch drawing, sculpture making, photography, digital designing, video, and much more. 

Unfortunately, artists around the world are given less importance to their work than they should deserve. They can spend most of their time making the most intriguing artworks, but they may not appreciate it or deserve recognition. The reason is that nowadays, many modern and aesthetic forms in art have been introduced to discard the traditional works of art. 

 New Opportunities for Artists

However, Artists can still accommodate a wide range of skills and abilities by using different concepts to represent their art. They need to enhance their skills abilities in art-making to fully to portray their thought processes successfully to the general public. They can experiment with other ideas in two and three-dimensional processes, take on risks, and challenge themselves to create something awe-inspiring. They can also learn now how to design develop their technical skills through software programs in digital designing and develop improve their artistic style with it. If you want to learn more about art and its fundamental aspects, you can read my inspiring artist autobiography Carole A.Feuerman ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy’.  I am an artist who has made the best use of my skills and abilities with through sculpture. I am one of the three founding members of the hyperrealist movement that began in the late 1970’s and continuing into the present.  My career is highlighted by iconic figurative works of swimmers and dancers.  I have taught, lectured, and given workshops at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Solomon Guggenheim Museum.  In 2011, I founded the Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation. My artworks are owned by eighteen museums, as well as in the collections of the City of Peekskill New York, the City of Sunnyvale California, President and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Frederic R. Weisman Art Foundation, Dr. Henry Kissinger, the Michael Gorbachev Art Foundation, the Malcolm Forbes Magazine Collection. Feuerman’s public works have been displayed across the globe, including but not limited to: Central Park, and Petrosino Square in New York City,  l'Avenue George V in Paris, Harbour City in Hong Kong, Giardino della Marinaressa in Venice, New Bond Street, London and Knokke Heist in Belgium. 

Learning about Sculpture Art

By Alex Caban

 Sculpture has not really received the attention it deserves compared to painting, photography, and modern Even intellectuals and philosophers of art do not recognize how difficult it is to make a sculpture art. Sculptural art stands out in its own classical and contemporary forms. Those who make it, know how difficult and delicate it is to make figurative sculpture art of a person. People over the years have raised questions about its ontology, representation, and person character. Thus they should truly appreciate the painstaking process it takes to make a truly remarkable sculpture art worth admiration.

 The History of Sculpture Art

 Before the 20th century, sculpture art was widely received and admired by people, especially in the Vatican City of Rome, where different sculptures portrayed angels and demons for the representation of religion. It became more than a tradition as all sculptures in the western world where the representation of celebrities. More and more sculptures began to be made as freestanding objects. As its progression grew, sculptures were made on famous old buildings and altarpieces. Sculptures are mostly made out of durable materials such as stone, bronze, plaster, and wood. 

 Much Deserved Recognition

 As modern forms of art began to make their mark in digital, photography, materialism, sculpture making practices began to slow down over the years. Many sculpture statues and abstract works of Barbara Hepworth and Louise Nevelson are still appreciated but represented imaginary objects. The most intriguing thing about sculpture art is that they represent a world of its own. A single sculpture can define a whole story, whether it is an imaginary object, a historical figure, or a celebrity. 

 They are even famous for describing an environment, as we explore the meaning through them. Some sculptures can even tell secret coded messages or mysteriously point at something of importance, as shown in famous movies like National treasure andAngels and Demons. However, the treatment and the making of a sculpture is exceptionally delicate and expensive. Many people aim to distinguish the traditional divisions and importance of sculptures from paintings and architecture. Some have even discredited it as performance art. However, sculptures more than just figurative statues or three-dimensional non-art objects. They define a whole new meaning of art by its complex contours and should be held in high regard regarding its admiration and appreciation.

Sculptures should be distinguished separately from other forms of art, as they represent historical traditions, information, and practices of the previous era. There is a sense of nostalgia attached to them, as they can give the pleasure of view and touch. To learn more about the importance of sculpture art, it is better to read the book ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy’ by the famous artist Carole Feuerman. As a renowned artist to have made some interesting and modernistic sculptures herself, she has given an in-depth view and perception of art and how she became an artist. She also provides her best interpretation of how she came to know about her passion for art and understand it deeply. Her book is a must-read for all the artists around the world.

How to Make Paintings Look More Realistic

When it comes to painting, if you want to make your work look more realistic, irrespective of the style you paint in, this is what I recommend. If you don’t want people to feel left doubting what you have actually painted, you might want to paint realistically. It is imperative to note that painting realism does not mean senselessly copying what you see. But, it’s about using your creative license to change the subject in the painting while maintaining the quality of realism. Therefore, this article highlights a few essential tips to make paintings look more realistic.

1)    Get the Color Values Right

Color values are the most important tip when it comes to creating more realistic paintings. Value in painting is how light or dark a color is, and it is extensively considered to be one of the central elements of a painting. Besides, if you are able to paint with precise values, then your painting will have a quality of realism irrespective of how correct your colors, edges, shapes, and other elements are.

2)    Use Soft, Hard, & Lost Edges

In painting, edge transitions from one shape to another, and edges are categorized as hard, soft, or lost. The hard edge is for a crisp transition between two shapes, whereas soft edges have some gradation between the shapes to make the transition smooth.  On the other hand, a lost edge where the edge is so soft that you can hardly see it. It usually occurs when there are two shapes next to each other having the same color. Also, lost edges don’t give you much information about the subject form. 

3)    Focus on The Important 

It is suggested to identify a few things that most interest you about the subject you are painting and be extremely specific. It could be the light bouncing off or any impressive shape arrangement. Typically, there are only 1-3 things that really interests you about a subject. So, just focus on painting those things and try to simplify the rest.

4)    You Might Not Want Visible Brushwork

Visible brushwork is the most interesting aspect of a traditional painting; however, you will need to learn how to use an airbrush. An airbrush is a small, hand-held instrument connected to a canister of compressed air that sprays paint in a controlled way giving an even and consistent surface. Artists and illustrators often use airbrushing to create a high level of realism. 

5)    You Will Need to Learn How to Copy from Real Life 

It is incredibly helpful to have a model or a still life, or a landscape in front of you while working on your picture. This reference will help you enormously.

6)    Question What You See

Sadly, our eyes often play little tricks on us, and what we believe we see is not actually what is there. It is most apparent in color and value. Therefore, question what you see to make your paintings more realistic. 

In conclusion, you must learn how to visualize like an artist. Besides, break everything down into fundamental elements like edge, shape, color, and line. For instance, instead of painting just anything, paint the shapes, edges, colors, and lines to make your painting look more realistic. 

The Art of Sculpting

Sculpture is that art that stands side-by-side with other expressive forms of art such as painting and photography to convey the yearnings and emotions of humankind. Besides, the human body has been one of its preferred subjects to recreate.

Sculpting artists have shown representations, ideas and obsessions about the human body all over the centuries. Such sculptors were and are passionate observers of the human anatomy as they see it on the surface. Also, concept of symmetry, balance and movement are conveyed with human body sculptures according to the impression of the artists. Other forms of sculpture that are more contemporary can be, light works, multi media, abstract forms or found objects.

The pieces of art, carved in different materials like wood, clay, marble, steel, bronze, concrete, and many others are either executed in realistic, life-like depictions. Some artists must be keen observers of the unique differences between the male and female anatomy because they exclusively and elaborately sculpt the separate uniqueness to their sculptures. The others artists creating public works must be able to make wsculptures that are archival, will withdtand the elements, won’t fall over,  be earthquake proof,  and have no sharp edges that would hurt the viewer.

Sculptures & Other Art Forms

The sculpture is a three-dimensional art, having width, length, and height. It can be performed on any material that can be carved bit by bit. Comparatively, painting expresses art through a surface. Any artist can also paint on any surface that he/she desires like a canvas or even a wall. However, it’s two-dimensional and doesn’t interject into space.

Besides, photography is the art form somewhat like painting because it’s also two-dimensional. But, you can walk around a sculpture and still see parts of it; however, you can only walk in front of a painting or photograph to be able to appreciate it.

But both painting and sculpture take a much longer time to accomplish ranging from hours, days, months, or even years compared to photography. However, with digital photography, it only takes a few minutes or even seconds to take a picture that is art worthy. In this age of modernity, it still takes a few days to accomplish an art-worthy sculpture or painting.

Sculpting Materials

When it comes to sculpting, any material that can be chiseled into a 3D form can be used. Also, many other materials can be used to make non- representational artworks. The sculptures that we are used to seeing last for centuries like those sculpted in stone, marble, bronze or steel. However, certain sculptures only last for hours like ice sculptures, which eventually melt after being appreciated for some time.

Classic Vs Modern

Sculptures from former centuries were fixated on tradition, biblical personalities and events. Their depiction of the human anatomy was almost, whether they emitted a positive or negative emotional depiction. Also, such sculptures were almost life-like in representation.

Conversely, modern sculptures also have realistic aspects of their form, but gradually, most present-day sculptures are in abstract form. And, they don’t always follow old-fashioned sculpting of bodies with one head, two arms, two legs, one torso. Instead, artists distort such conservative human anatomy concept into portrayals as to what sculptors perceive in their subconscious and dreams. All of this makes sculpture as an art form more exciting as this art form continues to evolve.

Fears That May Destroy an Artist

The Crate The Art Was Packed In Broke Destroying The Art

Real-life fears are much creepier than embellished scenes from horror movies, like a killer doll or flesh-eating zombies. The common fears cause more discomfort than the average spook and are more complex. For any person with the fear, it can be devastating, preventing the victim from living wholly or causing him/her to create a routine focused on avoiding the fear triggers. Besides, tolerating the feelings that come from triggers isn’t even a question, as they are known to make the person feel like he/she is in a life-threatening situation. Therefore, this article highlights the fears that may destroy an artist.

1)    Self-Doubt

It is possibly the number one fear of a creative professional.  After all, we don’t create necessities but luxuries for the most part.  As much as the art enriches our lives and the lives of others, it remains something that we (at least as customers) could perhaps live without. The solution for self-doubt is shockingly not a success. The world is filled with successful and famous artists, musicians and writers, and who are still riddled with depression and feelings of self-doubt.

Therefore, artists must find a way to live with such doubt and value the creative process as much as the artwork itself.

2)    Originality

While it might be true that all the great themes and literature in art have already been done over a thousand times, it’s always possible to bring something entirely new for the process.

Let’s accept it, artists and writers and have been borrowing from their ancestors since there has been a thing called art. So, originality is the second fear that may destroy an artist. 

3)    Idea Stealing

One of the main fears that artists have is selling their work online.  It is because they are afraid that people might steal their work or ideas.  No doubt this happens, and that’s why many artists give this excuse to stay out of the online market altogether. While this is undoubtedly a real problem, you also have to understand that these parasites are a minority of the online population. Rest of the people are looking at your work online and have no intention of stealing your work; they are thoroughly enjoying it and perhaps, just interested in buying it.

4)    Satisfaction

No artist is ever wholly satisfied with their artwork.  Some pieces they may always like better than others, but the pursuit of perfection is like a mirage that keeps them creating. If you ask an artist what piece that the made that they like the most, they will say it’s one there doing now or the next piece.

In conclusion, these fears are just an illusion that may eventually consume them if they let them.  Also, they will never get to the next stage of development as an artist unless they overcome their fears. 

Why Do We Need Peace Of Mind

Harmony and peace of mind is one of the fundamentals for finding a complete and happy life. Besides, we feel more confident and full of energy when we have inner peace! It’s a state when we are attentive, balanced, and conscious. Being in tough situations or circumstances that are not comfortable for us, we got disturbed, and peace begins to leave us. However, having resumed classes that can help us find inner silence, life gradually improves again. Also, many people pass through this phase and with this we can conclude: “If you don’t have time for rest, it means that it is necessary for you.”

Why do we need peace of mind?

Peace of mind teaches us to be in accord with oneself and with the whole world and talks about striking a balance. If you compare the soul with a musical instrument, then the inner calm state is when the strings of the soul sound naturally and harmoniously. The sound is pleasant and soothing for everyone! But when you are tense and fussy, the music will be unnatural, strained, and unpleasant.

When we have peace of mind, we are full of positive energy and in a good mood! Also, we efficiently manage to resist the sickness and bad attitude of others, and we perform better at doing any work. Peace makes us more creative; we investigate better and solve problems faster. When peace of mind is gone, we get out of balance,  and the energy drops, we attract illness and depression. During this internal stress, we do not get much of what we would like, and we commit more mistakes.

Every time we get angry, fuss in vain, or fall into depression, etc., we seem to spill negative energy from our vessel of the soul. When we are happy and balanced, we give off positive energy. Therefore, think twice before the next time, carelessly, you get out of yourself, start to get angry, nervous, think negatively, speak, and fuss about it in vain.

Peace of mind is a natural state for anyone; that’s why it is so essential and desirable for us! When it goes away, we begin to experience uncertainty and discomfort. Besides, on the subconscious mind, we desire to return to this state. Just be yourself or take a walk in the garden to restore spiritual harmony.

Many times, this inner peace is confused with lethargy, apathy or laziness. But it is not the case! You can make an external activity while maintaining inner peace. If you wish to protect yourself from adversities, you have chosen the wrong planet. Instead of protecting yourself from such problems face them with a peace of mind and move on!

How to Relieve Stress with Art Therapy?

Although art therapy is its own field, you can also use self-directed art to express your creativity, reduce stress and stay connected to your feelings. Most of us have intuitively understood the power of art since we were young: almost all children know the fun of sculpting things with plastic, drawing things with fingers or drawing with crayons and other materials.

In addition to random noodling in the blank spaces of the page, if you are like most adults, you may not express yourself in art like you did when you were a kid. You may not think you have any "talent" in artistic creation, or you may not believe it's worth your time, but art is really a valuable pastime. Even for those who don't think they have artistic tendencies, there are many reasons why art is an excellent stress-reducing tool. Therefore, this article highlights how creating art can help reduce stress. 

1)    Self-Care

Sometimes, because of the responsibilities of our daily lives, we forget that we need and deserve alone time and self-care. Spending a few minutes regularly to focus on a hobby can give you more needs in the field. With art, you have the added benefit of leaving something beautiful (or at least interesting) on display.

2)    State of Flow

Some psychologists describe mobility as an activity addiction. Similar to meditation, flow can enhance performance and reduce stress levels. When you practice musical instruments, do sports, garden, write, draw or paint, you may experience flow.

3)    Mind Clarity 

Creating art can clear your mind off of whatever is stressing you, at least for some time. Also, it's difficult to keep contemplating on your problems, especially when you're focused on creating art. If your issues stay with you, incorporate them into your artwork. Once you are done, you should have a clearer mind with which to tackle your problems again.

4)    Sketchbooks

Maintaining a sketchbook is the easiest way to relieve stress. It could be a form of journaling, and like journaling, it can be purifying, stress-relieving and creative. 

5)    Gratitude

Some people keep a gratitude journal to write what they are grateful for. Therefore, personalize your gratitude journal by sketching the faces of those you love, places you like, or other things that you are thankful for. The process of drawing can be a great stress reliever, and revisiting the creations can also bring you some peace for the future.

In conclusion, if you are still overwhelmed by stress and it starts to obstruct with your daily life, talk to your doctor. They may recommend a therapist who can offer support and techniques for managing the stress.