What is the Nature of Art?

The question I get asked the most is “Where do you get your ideas to start painting”?

The answer is really rather vague, because it’s more of a feeling than an idea in the beginning.

I mean sure, I can mix up some colors and knock out a scene painting in about an hour if requested, but is that really answering the question? Is that really Art?

Situations and atmosphere seem to be the biggest motivator for my creative side.

Situations: This last weekend was my Wife’s Family Reunion so we packed up and went camping for four days so that we could spend some time to visit with everyone.

The entire time that I was there, I kept visualizing different layouts from the family photos to expressionistic representations of the connection that was being felt by everyone.

There was the morning campfire with everyone around it , usually waiting for coffee, keeping warm and just being close. Now one of the many digital cameras could catch the actual grouping, but what about the stuff that a camera can’t see?

That is where a picture becomes Art, when it can show the feeling ands pull you into the picture. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t gifted photographers out there. I have seen some beautiful photographs do the same as a painting which by my standards; Those photographs are Art.

There are certain things that are automatic for getting the creative flow activated regardless of circumstance, that would be Music. At least for me, music seems to help get me out of myself and the daily problems to that place where you only exist in the moment. That’s about the only words that I can think of to describe it. Nothing really matters except the project that I’m working on. The outcome isn’t as important as the experience.

This is part of the atmosphere that I’m talking about. You can create you own with music or lighting in the mood– a phrase that I hear a lot, but has no real meaning to me.

The other part of this is the actual enviroment that you are working in. Like painting a scene or character in the actual place where the events are taking place. Like painting the view of your backyard or as seen from your patio, that’s private, real, and has that personal feel to it when viewed by someone else. Not to mention that you are n a special place both physically and mentally.

Having a hard time with this concept? Well try this on for size.

Think of your own backyard, patio, or special place. Better yet, have you been to someone else’s special place and thought “What’s the big deal, it all seems normal here”?

Now look at your own special place and see that what makes it special is the things that YOU see. It might be something simple like that spider that has had it’s web in the same corner or a special rock or anything in the area, but it’s yours and others may not notice them.

These are the things that people look for in Art and the same with photographic Art.

So it is truely the little things that hold value to us and not the chaotic confusion of everyday life. Focus on this and you will have the real answer to both of the questions.