Food for thought about art.

Edgar A. Payne wrote in his book titled, Composition about outdoor painting, about the origin and purpose of art. He wrote, “All creative endeavor is toward a definite purpose. Therefore, it is imperative that we have a definite conception of this purpose as well as a clear understanding of the means that accomplish this end. Quality in fine pictures is dependent on a knowledge and a respect for the elements which create it. Actually, a fine painting is a composite of all its factors and influences. Bring these together, to form this composite, create the process of composing. Hence the study of composition is a matter of studying art and all of its factors and influences.”

The words of Edgar A. Payne are also true regarding the development of Shibui Found Image Art. There may be those who still think of oil painting as the top dog of the art world. I disagree, and I think other people do as well! Especially those creating other forms of art. Also, we use design in other forms of art not just with illustration. These two factors do not hold true. In Payne’s day oils were top dog, yet he put great thought in the creative process which encompasses more than oil paintings. The myth gets carried forward by others who do not consider well the creative process. All art requires the same thoughtful, creative process no matter the medium is!

I point out this fact; Payne continues, stating, “ That art is entirely an abstract or invisible element and true artistic procedure seeks to conceal governing influences means we cannot approach the subject directly but must go back to the beginning and look into the purpose of artistic expression or the reason for its being. Then search out, study and analyze each factor or principle having either remote or direct bearing on the origin, theory or practice.” Consider Payne’s works as you learn about the creative process of Shibui Found Image Art.

I’ll rephrase a bit of what Edgar A. Payne wrote to clairify it as a part of the creative process I want my students to think about.: “All creative endeavor is toward a definite purpose. Therefor, it is imperative that we have a definite conception of this purpose as well as a clear understanding of the means that accomplish this end. Quality regarding the images we create are dependent on a knowledge and a respect for the elements which create it. Actually a fine image is a composite of all its factors and influences. Bring these together, to form this composite, create the process of composing. Hence the study of composition is a matter of studying art and all of its factors and influences.”

The words of Edgar A. Payne are also true of the development of Shibui Found Image Art. There may be those who still think of oil painting is the top dog. I disagree; this is nor ever has been the case. It’s been a myth or bias that gets carried forward. All art requires the same thoughtful, creative process no matter what the medium is! Payne continues: “That art is entirely an abstract or invisible element and true artistic procedure seeks to conceal governing influences means we cannot approach the subject directly but must go back to the beginning and look into the purpose of what artistic expression is, the reason for its being. Then search out, study and analyze each factor or principle having either remote or direct bearing on the origin, theory or practice.” Consider Payne’s works as you learn about the creative process of Shibui Found Image Art. This applies to more than images; all creative works of art have a process.

Understanding the creative process when it comes to all forms of art is key to its origin. Art has purpose, it facilitates and conveys many aspects of human thought and intention. An end result will not happen without the process of such an artistic endeavor. A lot of thoughtful knowledge goes into and may be subtracted from the purpose of a creative endeavor. Determining what is needed during the creative process to convey what the desired end result will be is born out of the creative process of the artist. The labor pains of creating art are always savored.

Payne continues to make another point as he speaks of Robert Henri. “Robert Henri once said that “Art is not actually intended but is the results of a desire to express, and a need for appreciation. To these factors may be added the enjoyment of nature and an instinctive desire to excel. A desire to excel or attain perfection is the inevitable result of creative effort. The competitive or idealizing spirt undoubtedly plays an important part in picturization.” I think here of the many abstract artist such as Jackson Pollock and other action painters as well as my own senses as I create Shibui Foundations. All Shibui foundations begin with action art. I think of the creative minds of the artist who use pareidolia. Once the mind is train by the act of doing____ to think in certain ways, it easily goes there!

For me, when I create art I am painting the words to express what I desire to express. The art of giving meaning to something someone else can identify with. My flip side is to write poetry where I am able to portray what I have seen and sense of the world and the people in it. I know that someone will identify with my art and writing on some level. Both are compulsions. Art and writing, both require having a relationship with the world and the people in it!

Best wishes! May love and laughter find you! Pejj