It has been said that everything has been done before and that there are no original ideas anymore. Depending on your viewpoint, it is mostly true. Most things in the modern world are a variation on a theme. Despite all of this, people keep creating. I’m sure this blog post has even been written before by someone else.
Not technically correct but still makes a statement. Depending on what people know about me determines if the the image is accepted or not.
The thing that still stands out from all of that, is you. The way that you see your creation and what your interpretation adds to or alters what came before you. For the most part I strongly believe that works of art don’t just stand on their own but have a relationship with the artist and the viewers understanding of that artist. Discovering the meaning behind an image or painting or sculpture can change what you see and how you see that piece of art. Knowing something about an artist and what they were thinking or what inspired them to create the work also alters what you see and may help develop an emotional connection to the art.
Visual art is much like the written word. When you take a sentence out of context from the whole story the meaning can change or be completely lost. While people may say a picture is worth a thousand words, Rarely can an image stand completely on its own and tell that complete story. It may still need a title to direct a viewers thoughts or may even require a series of images to convey the original intention. In all cases, the artists vision and intention is going to ultimately tell the story.
That is the part that is unique, it is the choices that you as the artist decided to make that tells your story and shows your vision. Some people may argue the point but I find when we look at famous photographers who have conveyed intentions and people are more familiar with that artist, when they produce work that is designed to show imperfections either technically or with the subject matter, there is a wider berth for them and that work to still be seen as a success. Put similar work in a portfolio review where the judges know nothing about the photographer, that work will be ripped to shreds and be seen as amateur and a failure. Without the clear understanding of the vision, people have a hard time understanding and deciding how they feel about the work.
Your vision is unique because you are unique. Every creator has a reason for creating. They might be at the point where the message is cohesive or they might not be. Regardless of where you are along that path, you must keep creating no matter what anyone says. Do you have a message yet? if so share that as well as your work. Always be working on your vision. What you think today may not be what you will think weeks from now. You might think that your work looks like everyone else’s right now, that may also change when everything aligns.
Creators need to create and share that work.
Creators need to create and share that work.