Interesting read Lucy, however, I think you're disregarding the purpose of making art for most of us creatives, which is the process; the journey. The outcome in most cases is irrelevant, unless, of course it's purpose and intent is to end on a social platform. The end result is in most cases meaningless. I don't think most creatives are comfortable with the thought of sharing their work, it can be quite an anxiety trigger for many. Vivian Maier is the perfect example of this. I do think, however, that creating work with the purpose to hang it up online is a generational thing. I don't know, curious to know your thoughts on this.
Both Eno and Rubin are incredible sources of inspiration, thanks for sharing these vids!
Thanks for reading! I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately and I don’t think enough artist have an output stage where they close the loop 🔁 it doesn’t matter if anyone sees it or where it goes but I do think that final stage is worthwhile because it’s then shared and you can move on.
I also dislike the attitude that sharing online is less worthy than in a gallery. I felt pressure to have “real” artist moments last year and they all made me miserable. I didn’t suddenly feel great because I printed my work and it was hung on a wall. I much prefer sharing online to as many people as possible and make the most impact I can.
I think lots of artists hide behind this idea of being anxious to share their work etc. imagine if we didn’t have Vivian’s work?!? I mean she surely thought of sharing due to the high volumes of photos she was taking. I don’t know 🤷🏻♀️ we are all different of course and art is whatever you want it to be at the end of the day but I think art is meant to be shared even if it’s just with your friends or family.
Making art is our soul’s expression. I think art and therapy are synonymous. They are one and the same. The soul speaks through our art. Also, it’s scientifically proven that it changes us on a vibrational and cellular level. Check out the book “Your Brain on Art”. The two authors who wrote it are neuro artists! They study the psychological/neurological/biological/anthropological impacts of art. And it’s SO cool! All of their book backs up all of what you are feeling and what every other artist feels when they make art. I highly recommend it!
Yes Lucy, I agree with the concept of sharing completing the cycle. It’s natural, in ecology everything is circular. I’ve heard discussions of Elizabeth Gilbert’s work in which the failure to complete the cycle by sharing becomes destructive. I feel this in my own practice.
I really enjoyed reading your post, especially your mention of music. Music has a way of helping us create and feel emotions in such a powerful way. Brian Eno was truly a pioneer—not just as a musician but as a visionary. He actually played on three of David Bowie’s albums, and you can really hear his influence on Heroes, especially on Side 2 of the vinyl. Looking forward to your post on Eno!
For me, I think the point of using venues such as Substack or even IG and possibly FB is to work through issues and concerns in a way that is somewhat removed from my self-conscious self. I mean, sometimes ideas are only half born in my brain, and while I can say a lot of words about the ideas, it isn’t until I get it out there in a visual media (photography) and start unpacking the nuances of what I am seeing and the metaphors that might apply, that I start seeing connections that I might have missed. I think some of this is reflected in your idea of closing the loop, but I feel sometimes it is more of an infinity loop that keeps expanding and possibly even adding new loops. Anyway, as always I appreciate the thought you put into all of your work. Keep at it.
I think creativity is in all of us, and has value as personal expression but also as something deeper - it's a way of thinking that can give us new perspectives, connect us, imagine a different world & make it possible. I'm not saying all art needs to have such lofty goals I just think having a lateral, playful way of thinking & seeing the world can also be useful to a society.
Amen to closing the loop on projects, sometimes I'm not sure why I'm putting things out in the world but it's definitely affirming to string images together and give them a life outside of the hard drive they are stuck on!
I agree with what Brian Eno says about art. It is how I (and many others , no doubt) express ourselves through whatever medium chosen. It does lay bare one's soul in a way. It offers others a glimpse into the workings of one's mind. It enables viewers to see (or hear, read, feel) the world how we, as artists, see it. It is a landscape we create not only for ourselves, but for others too.
Art; photography, paintings, sculpture, architecture, music, motion pictures, etc… it all is a form of self expression. We as humans are hard wired to create whether that be for practical reasons or for personal reasons.
Many of us started very young drawing what we admired then later moving on to mixed media and finding one, or two or more that conveys our inner image the best. What can start (like in my case) are drawings that I kept for myself as memories to photography that I used to also capture memories to actually going beyond my personal expression. Art to me is self expression that is a recording of a moment and feeling that I keep for myself OR one I want to show to the world in a stylized way.
The Art question is one that has and will be asked for centuries to come…. Keep Creating y’all.
Interesting read Lucy, however, I think you're disregarding the purpose of making art for most of us creatives, which is the process; the journey. The outcome in most cases is irrelevant, unless, of course it's purpose and intent is to end on a social platform. The end result is in most cases meaningless. I don't think most creatives are comfortable with the thought of sharing their work, it can be quite an anxiety trigger for many. Vivian Maier is the perfect example of this. I do think, however, that creating work with the purpose to hang it up online is a generational thing. I don't know, curious to know your thoughts on this.
Both Eno and Rubin are incredible sources of inspiration, thanks for sharing these vids!
Thanks for reading! I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately and I don’t think enough artist have an output stage where they close the loop 🔁 it doesn’t matter if anyone sees it or where it goes but I do think that final stage is worthwhile because it’s then shared and you can move on.
I also dislike the attitude that sharing online is less worthy than in a gallery. I felt pressure to have “real” artist moments last year and they all made me miserable. I didn’t suddenly feel great because I printed my work and it was hung on a wall. I much prefer sharing online to as many people as possible and make the most impact I can.
I think lots of artists hide behind this idea of being anxious to share their work etc. imagine if we didn’t have Vivian’s work?!? I mean she surely thought of sharing due to the high volumes of photos she was taking. I don’t know 🤷🏻♀️ we are all different of course and art is whatever you want it to be at the end of the day but I think art is meant to be shared even if it’s just with your friends or family.
The content you create is very nice! I also like watching the YouTube videos, I learn a lot! Thanks, Lucy :)
Thank you so much ☺️ that’s wonderful to hear and thanks for following along.
Making art is our soul’s expression. I think art and therapy are synonymous. They are one and the same. The soul speaks through our art. Also, it’s scientifically proven that it changes us on a vibrational and cellular level. Check out the book “Your Brain on Art”. The two authors who wrote it are neuro artists! They study the psychological/neurological/biological/anthropological impacts of art. And it’s SO cool! All of their book backs up all of what you are feeling and what every other artist feels when they make art. I highly recommend it!
Yes Lucy, I agree with the concept of sharing completing the cycle. It’s natural, in ecology everything is circular. I’ve heard discussions of Elizabeth Gilbert’s work in which the failure to complete the cycle by sharing becomes destructive. I feel this in my own practice.
I really enjoyed reading your post, especially your mention of music. Music has a way of helping us create and feel emotions in such a powerful way. Brian Eno was truly a pioneer—not just as a musician but as a visionary. He actually played on three of David Bowie’s albums, and you can really hear his influence on Heroes, especially on Side 2 of the vinyl. Looking forward to your post on Eno!
For me, I think the point of using venues such as Substack or even IG and possibly FB is to work through issues and concerns in a way that is somewhat removed from my self-conscious self. I mean, sometimes ideas are only half born in my brain, and while I can say a lot of words about the ideas, it isn’t until I get it out there in a visual media (photography) and start unpacking the nuances of what I am seeing and the metaphors that might apply, that I start seeing connections that I might have missed. I think some of this is reflected in your idea of closing the loop, but I feel sometimes it is more of an infinity loop that keeps expanding and possibly even adding new loops. Anyway, as always I appreciate the thought you put into all of your work. Keep at it.
I think creativity is in all of us, and has value as personal expression but also as something deeper - it's a way of thinking that can give us new perspectives, connect us, imagine a different world & make it possible. I'm not saying all art needs to have such lofty goals I just think having a lateral, playful way of thinking & seeing the world can also be useful to a society.
Amen to closing the loop on projects, sometimes I'm not sure why I'm putting things out in the world but it's definitely affirming to string images together and give them a life outside of the hard drive they are stuck on!
Thanks for this. Really resonated with me going to grab Ron’s book now.
I agree with what Brian Eno says about art. It is how I (and many others , no doubt) express ourselves through whatever medium chosen. It does lay bare one's soul in a way. It offers others a glimpse into the workings of one's mind. It enables viewers to see (or hear, read, feel) the world how we, as artists, see it. It is a landscape we create not only for ourselves, but for others too.
Art; photography, paintings, sculpture, architecture, music, motion pictures, etc… it all is a form of self expression. We as humans are hard wired to create whether that be for practical reasons or for personal reasons.
Many of us started very young drawing what we admired then later moving on to mixed media and finding one, or two or more that conveys our inner image the best. What can start (like in my case) are drawings that I kept for myself as memories to photography that I used to also capture memories to actually going beyond my personal expression. Art to me is self expression that is a recording of a moment and feeling that I keep for myself OR one I want to show to the world in a stylized way.
The Art question is one that has and will be asked for centuries to come…. Keep Creating y’all.