Art and Creativity: Does Having a Specific Style or Focus Matter, When You're an Artist? by reddragonfly

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· @reddragonfly ·
$32.53
Art and Creativity: Does Having a Specific Style or Focus Matter, When You're an Artist?
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<p>When we go to a museum, or an art exhibit for some famous <em>(or at least "well known")</em> artist, we generally have a pretty good idea about what we're going to see.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<div class="pull-right">
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ob6cxVg.jpg" alt="ChimneyRock" /><br />
<em>Sedona sunset</em></p>
</div>
</p>
<p>We know what "<em>a van Gogh</em>" is going to look like; we know "<em>the style of Monet</em>" or perhaps we're familiar with the look of Vermeer's paintings. Or maybe we are viewing sculpture and we can recognize works by Rodin, or Henry Moore.</p>
<p>What these artists have in common is that they largely "<em>have a STYLE.</em>"</p>
<p>Of course, they are quite <em>famous</em>, but this does beg the question of whether having a recognizable artistic style-- something to be <em>known</em> for-- matters for the majority of working artists.</p>
<h2><em>How Important IS "A Style?"</em></h2>
<p>It's not an easy question to answer.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<div class="pull-left">
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/AR63knM.jpg" alt="OakCreek" /><br />
<em>Oak Creek</em></p>
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</p>
<p>On a very "<em>local</em>" scale, I remember my ex always wrestling with this issue. Without a doubt, she was a talented artist, but she was doing clay sculpture one week, weaving the next, then painting, then mixing them all together, and then she'd be out doing photography.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Whereas she definitely had "<em>talent</em>" and "<em>vision,</em>" she also had great struggles getting her work into galleries because her style ultimately was "<em>a little bit of everything.</em>"</p>
<p>One of the psychological side effects was that she felt deeply misunderstood... and rejected-- <em>to some degree</em>... because she couldn't find venues ready to show two paintings, a weaving, a small sculpture, a couple of photographs and some clay work.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In retrospect, we would probably <em>not</em> have taken her work at the Red Dragonfly, either. And <em>NOT</em> for quality reasons.</p>
<h2><em>Why Do Galleries and Art Spaces Insist on a "Style?"</em></h2>
<p>Multi-talented artists typically want to know <em>why</em> they are being "<em>discriminated</em>" against. And that's a good and fair question.</p>
<p>
<div class="pull-right">
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/dCbg4W2.jpg" alt="OakCreek" /><br />
<em>Red rock view from Oak Creek</em></p>
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</p>
<p>In most cases, the answer is pretty simple: From the gallery curator's perspective, <em>true genius</em> without a specific style is extraordinarily rare. More often than not, when someone comes in and has a wide mix of styles and media, they actually are showing us that they have <em>no real idea who they are, creatively speaking</em>. They are just <em>experimenting</em>... and that often manifests as work of dubious merit: It's clay this week and painting next week, and abstracts the week after.</p>
<p>And so, we end up saying "<em>no thanks</em>" because we really aren't interested in underwriting an artist's efforts to discover themselves.</p>
<p>On a more significant level, we also have certain constraints to work with: For example, in order for us to create meaningful shows and exhibitions that will keep our clients-- who are ultimately <em>the artist's clients</em>-- coming back, we tend to focus on certain <em>themes</em>.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><em>Do Style Requirements Unfairly "Box" Polymath Artists?</em></h2>
<p>A <em>Polymath</em> is a person who has <em>expertise</em> in a large number of disparate fields, but the term can also be used to characterize an <em>artist</em> who is good at many different types of art.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<div class="pull-left">
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/BItpT9M.jpg" alt="RedRocks" /><br />
<em>Sedona red rocks</em></p>
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</p>
<p>It would be easy to argue that it's "unfair" to an artist to subject them to the requirement of sticking with a single style for the purpose of putting their work in front of an audience. Sadly, the issue at hand here tends to be more about the <em>audience</em>, than about the artist.</p>
<p>Much as we like to think of the art appreciating <em>(and buying)</em> public as being somewhat sophisticated and adventurous, quite the opposite is often the case. And maybe that's not even specific to <em>art</em>, but part of being human: we like to be able to classify things into neat and tidy "<em>boxes</em>" that we understand and can relate to.</p>
<p>In that sense, the polymath artist often feels a bit lost and set adrift... and even unappreciated.</p>
<h2><em>What Are Your Hopes and Desires, as an Artist?</em></h2>
<p>I suppose the question we must ask each artist is "<em>What are your hopes, dreams and aspirations as an artist? What is your objective?</em>"</p>
<p>
<div class="pull-right">
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yMDqYBV.jpg" alt="OakCreek" /><br />
<em>Oak Creek view</em></p>
</div>
</p>
<p>Maybe that sounds a bit shallow, but it's actually an important question.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If "<em>becoming well-known</em>" and/or "<em>achieving a measure of commercial success</em>" are part of your personal vision, there is little doubt that you'll <em>have</em> to make some compromises to achieve your dreams. Yes, of course, there <em>are</em> some exceptions... but they are pretty few and far between.</p>
<p>If you are an artist of many talents, odds are you will have to pick a particular medium and style, and use that as your vehicle to get yourself shown and known.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if your art is primarily something you engage in purely for your own enjoyment and creative exploration... then no worries.</p>
<p>Getting back to the example case of my ex, she pretty much decided that she just "<em>wanted to create stuff</em>" and so she <em>(reluctantly, and perhaps with a certain degree of resentment)</em> decided that she was not about to restrict herself on account of "<em>gallery rules.</em>" To her credit, she became quite creative and was a participant in many "small shows" in various public spaces, where each artist was simply represented by just one or two pieces.</p>
<h2><em>"You Can Always Change Your Mind, Later..."</em></h2>
<p>One of the things we tell multi-talented artists who contact the Red Dragonfly is that nothing is truly cast in stone.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<div class="pull-left">
<p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/sQru1Js.jpg" alt="ArchRock" /><br />
<em>Sedona Arch Rock</em></p>
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</p>
<p>Which also means that if you are a multi-talented artist who works in many styles and media, you can always take the approach of focusing on one particular area of your art for "<em>public consumption</em>" until you become well known... after which you can expose the world to your <em>full</em> variety of work. Nobody's asking you to stop being multitalented and doing lots of different things... we're just saying that we're only interested in your abstract oil paintings, for the time being.</p>
<p>Once you have established yourself to some extent, it becomes a lot easier to insist that your full range of work is exhibited.</p>
<p>So to get back to the original question, yes... it does matter whether you have a specific focus or style as an artist, although it matters most during your earlier years, and less so once you have become more established.</p>
<p>Thank you for reading! Red Dragonfly is a proud member of the <a href="https://steemit.com/@sndbox"><strong>@sndbox </strong></a>creative initiative.</p>
<p><center><a href="https://steemit.com/@reddragonfly">
<img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmdyRbDAjTPPM6aQpmNRKDoxCcgYGC1wHAjRNJANED1VZ9/follow_reddragonfly.gif"></a></center></p>
<p><em>The Red Dragonfly is an independent alternative art gallery located in Port Townsend, WA; showcasing edgy and unique contemporary art &amp; handmade crafts by local and worldwide artists. All images are our own, unless otherwise credited. All images in this article were taken in and around Sedona, AZ in April 2013. Where applicable, artist images used with permission.</em>&nbsp;</p>
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vote details (29)
@builderofcastles ·
$0.03
I know an artist who has one particular ... sculpture that many people want and many galleries want to display.  He now hates making them.

I agree with you, that to show an artist, who hasn't gelled their talent, really is unfair to the artist and the gallery.  But, it is such an interesting divide.  One, which you cannot tell that you have crossed, but that every person who knows your are... now, knows your art by sight.
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@reddragonfly ·
It is a journey of creativity and exploration... early in your career, you often have to compromise because you don't have a "proven track record" to show. Later on, you have a lot more freedom to simply "be yourself."
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@artopium ·
$0.08
Very interesting article! Style does matter to an extent. And it's very interesting to read an article from the viewpoint of the gallery owner. I can easily see how this applies to many other methods the artist might choose to "get known" as well, and not just the gallery. One might even take this one step further and say that to be "recognized" as an artist an artist must be "recognizable" which would be difficult if every work the artist created was different in style and theme.

On the flipside of this argument, however, I can see a polymath getting away with different styles if they were grouped together in a series. If an artist creates multiple works in one theme this week, and multiple works in another theme next week, it shows the artist isn't just dabbling but has a real command of that style. 

Thanks again for the brilliant insight. I shall resteem for sure!
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vote details (1)
@reddragonfly ·
Thanks for your thoughtful comment!

Not so long ago, we had an exhibition of work from an artist who's an established and regionally quite famous sculptor. Except, this was an exhibit of his Japanese style watercolor paintings. 

If view in consideration that this was a famous and established artist... the show bombed. On the other hand, viewed from the angle of a newcomer watercolorist, the show did quite well. We only sold one single small painting to someone who even *knew* the artist's work... 

It was a very eye opening illustration of how much it matters-- at least from the commercial end of things--to be "known for something."
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@bentleycapital ·
$1.15
Thank you for this post @reddragonfly.

It is a reality that exists for artists.

It is said, Picasso regretted later in life that he had catered to clients rigid expectations.....apologies for not having a source for this statement.

You have given us something to think about...whether you are an appreciator of art or a creator of art...either way.

All the best.  Cheers.
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vote details (3)
@reddragonfly ·
It is, indeed, a reality we have to deal with... and I guess it extends outside the art field, as well. We have to find a balance between "what we want" and what those around us want...

Early in their careers, it would seem that artists may depend more on being flexible so as to please their clientel, but once you get established, you have more freedom to do your own thing.
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@mikay ·
Thanks for sharing @reddragonfly . I think your ex is trying her hands on different forms of art because she really doesn't know which of them will bring her "big break". I can relate your post to my decision on what to blog about on steemit. Choosing a particular style is helpful is getting a target audience.
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