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7 Points About The Artist's Identity   
• wildbrush    

I tried to find a personal statement in which I can describe the feelings of becoming an artist and thinking and working as an artist.
May be my thoughts will help young artists, as a guidance, to identify with their own personality.

1. Identity

The artistic identity -
your own unique 'voice' (style, technique etc).

The artistic 'voice' -
enables you to leave impressions of yourself on strangers.

To develop this 'voice' -
put your own heart and soul into your artwork.

Then art will honestly express -
your inner being, your picture of yourself, and your personal vision of the world.

The decisions of style/technique -
culminate in an artistic work that speaks of your fundamental nature, your spirit and your aesthetic sensibility.

You are free to say whatever you are
and who you want to be!

2. Interpreting

Capturing your identity (style/technique) in your art:

back away from what you see on the outside, in favour of what you feel inside;

don't put too much 'actual' into your art, but put more interpretation!

extract from the real world what you need to express yourself, using that objective reality sparingly.

3. Taking Risks

Opening up and communicating your innermost thoughts and feelings can be very intimidating. You may be criticized, but if you are sure of your own vision, you can bear up under this scrutiny.

Interpreting calls for courageous action.

4. Dedicated Exploration

It's important to experiment on your artistic journey. (New mediums, new techniques, express new ideas).

Have the courage
to move into unfamiliar territory!

Give your art the time necessary to make it satisfying and enriching the experience it can be.

Your art is:

- hard working, thoughtful work,
- personal experience,
- solid techniques,
- consciously considered world view.

Dedicated exploration will not only improve your expressiveness,
it will also improve your craftsmanship.
SO WORK HARD !!!
(He who makes no mistakes, makes nothing. - G.B. SHAW.)

5. Developing Your Point Of View

Art is a reflection of a most personal nature.

Art is an expression of the artist who creates it.

Vision is the heart of creation.
It is the springboard to any great work of art; it is all-important. Without it, there is no need to proceed.

Technique is how you want to say it.
Knowing what you want to say. It is the starting point to push an idea out on a canvas through the use of different mediums and technique.

The technical aspect is very important.
It provides the means by which you convey your concept. An artist's use of art elements must support his/her point of view, not the other way around. Technique continually develops and improves with practice.

Even when perfected, technique cannot make
a vapid subject great art.

Many great artists have exhibited technical proficiency early in their careers, but then moved on to emphasise the point of view.
Their early work, while technically proficient, was unlike their later, more passionate work.

6. An Ideal Synthesis

Ideally, an artist can attain a synthesis of technical proficiency and personal statement.
'What' and 'how' coalesce into a finished work that stands as a representation of you, the artist. The work makes a statement unlike anyone else's.

Illustrate your thoughts in your own
style and technique.

7. Seeds Of Thoughts

Concepts come to life in our minds. Here the seeds of thought grow into carefully developed ideas that become our purpose for painting. Our thoughts pass outwards from within to become tangible, visible expression.

PAINTING IS VISUALLY SPEAKING!
PAINTING IS COMMUNICATION!

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