Day 2
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| Dressed in Snowy White "Art is not what you see. It is what you make others see" Degas
I love this quote! When I was in high school and even college, we were not really taught or encouraged to "be creative." Oh yes, it was assumed that if you liked art and seemed to have some bit of talent, than you must be "creative".
Merrier Webster's Definition of CREATIVE:
1 [more creative; most creative] : having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas
2. using the ability to make or think of new things : involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created
3. always used before a noun, usually disapproving : done in an unusual and often dishonest way.
#3 rubs me the wrong way - never thought of being creative as dishonest but I suppose used in the right way such as "creative" accounting or something like that.
Anyways, back to art school - unfortunately, my studies focused more on mastering technique which is quite important, yes, but what about expressing our creativity, imagination, individuality!?! I seem to mostly recall my assignments being copying exactly from a chosen magazine photograph or family favorite picture and using the grid system to copy it exactly. So, I find it very liberating (somewhat difficult right now because I am just learning to let go), to paint what I want others to see and not exactly what is there.
This is my photograph (i.e. my inspiration). 
It's not a great photograph. There really is no center of interest, it's just kind of a blob of trees. I took the photo because the snow covered evergreens caught my attention (much more in person than in this photo). I once read somewhere that you don't need a perfect photo because if it is perfect than it doesn't need you, the artist. I am working on taking lots of photos and not trying to find the perfect composition, lighting or even subject matter. I can't wait to keep practicing using my creative liberties and create art that allows you to see something different.
My process:    |
