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FineArtViews Newsletter
Straight Talk about Art, Marketing,
Inspiration and Fine Living
For Artists, Collectors and Galleries
(and anyone else who loves art)
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You are the Music
by Robert Genn
TODAY:
Neurologist Oliver Sacks' latest book, "Tales of Music and the
Brain," tells of various cranial disorders that have led to musical
sensitivity and ability. Hit by lightning, a man suddenly begins to
compose and conduct music. . .
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Wednesday, November 7, 2007
San Antonio, Texas
IN THIS ISSUE
* You are the Music
* Build RSS Subscribers, Revisited
* COLLECTOR'S DISCOVERY SALON
See the latest works by our artist members!
* The Bookshelf
* From the FineArtViews Blogs
The Latest Ruminations from our artist members.
* Focal Point: beret
We're the Same
It has dawned on me, dear artists, that we're the same.
Although, on the surface, it seems that we're very different. After
all, I make software and you make art. Most people would think that
software development is a left-brain activity and art is a right-brain
activity.
However, that is not true. What we both do at the end of the day is make things.
If we're any good, we try to make things that will appeal to other
people. We try to become masters of our respective mediums. My medium
is computer code, yours may be paint, pencil or clay. But you and I are the same.
Among visual artists we call the great achievers "masters." But in my
world, "masters" are known as "hackers." (The word "hacker", contrary
to popular opinion, does NOT mean a teenager who breaks into other
people's computers...although said teenager, if he's good enough might be
talented enough to be considered a hacker.). And yes, I aspire to
someday be worth of the moniker "hacker." Because like all great
artists, I desire to master my chosen medium.
Here is what hacker (and artist) Paul Graham has to say about this
subject, "... of all the different types of people I've known, hackers
and painters are among the most alike." (Source: Hackers and Painters)
I'm not sure why I'm compelled to tell you all of this, except perhaps to let you know that I understand you.
I understand the isolation of working in my "studio." I understand
getting into the "zone" ... and the frustration that occurs when
someone interrupts me while I'm in the zone. I understand the desire
to work with my chosen medium for the love of the work itself....and the temptation to "blow off" other necessary evils like errands, phone calls, and marketing.
I share this with you so that when I suggest something in this blog or
in my newsletters that you will know that I really do understand
you...and that the suggestions are coming not from a naive "business
guy" who doesn't know what artists struggle with, but from another
"artist" who has taken the time to learn about business.
By the way, if you want to read Mr. Graham's book, Hackers and Painters, you can get it at:
http://fineartviews.com/offers/graham.asp
Sincerely,
Clint Watson
Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic
PS - Someday, if I ever feel worthy, I may change my title from "Software Craftsman" to "Hacker"
PPS - That day will probably never come because how does one really ever know that they are a "master?"
== Highly Recommended ==
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Art by Tommy Thompson
Today's Selected Commenter
http://www.tommythompsonart.com/
YOUR artwork could be pictured here tomorrow
just comment on today's article before midnight,
and your artwork could be in front of thousands of people
tomorrow.
You are the Music
by Robert Genn
Dear {{FirstName}},
Neurologist Oliver Sacks' latest book, "Tales of Music and the
Brain," tells of various cranial disorders that have led to musical
sensitivity and ability. Hit by lightning, a man suddenly begins to
compose and conduct music. I was reminded of the vacationing Augustus
John, a mediocre art student at age 19, diving into the sea at Tenby,
Wales, hitting his head on an underwater rock and emerging a celebrated
genius. The blow did considerable damage, took the year 1897 for
recovery, and created a before-and-after scenario that everyone
noticed. Naturally, I've always wondered if this sort of effect might
be artificially produced. Some simple clunk to the head or laying on of
hands that hot-wires candidates to creative success.
Many of us thrive on combinations of strong desire and
relentless application. While relatively slow-going, this has been the
traditional and sensible route toward creative evolution. Natural
genius may speed things up. But you may have noticed that natural
geniuses sometimes don't go far. They too may need a lightning strike
to fully manifest. An epiphany, a door suddenly closed, or perhaps some
form of hysteria--self-generated or inflicted from without--might just
be the catalyst.
In "Four Quartets," T.S. Elliot writes, "You are the music;
while the music lasts." One has insights, makes progress and gets
results only while the music is being made. And this goes for
easel-time too. Elliot's poem suggests the special state required for
the creative act. Concepts like "flow" involve being one with the
activity--a kind of psychic space unlike ordinary life.
The idea of bold, frenetic, compulsive or obsessive action as
the great begetter of art is at the core of this sort of thinking.
"Boldness has genius, power and magic," said Johann Wolfgang von
Goethe. "Engage, and the mind grows heated. Begin, and the work will be
completed." Goethe was no stranger to unkindly blows, either. Funnily,
or perhaps not funnily, the hindrances to bold action line up like the
deadly sins--laziness, sloth, indifference, boredom, etc. Getting hit
on the head may be the blessed event that invites creative being and
acting. We are Tasered--and our work continues to Taser us. Stunned, we
stay on the job. Sensitized and electrified, we make gains by simply
doing it. There are worse things that can happen to people.
Best regards,
Robert
PS: "I have often seen quite demented patients recognize and
respond vividly to paintings and delight in the act of painting at a
time when they are scarcely responsive, disoriented, and out of it."
(Oliver Sacks)
Esoterica: Strict instructions to wannabe artists don't
always work. Directions like "go to your room and work five hours a day
and produce 30 finished works a month," can trigger the old
self-sabotage response. There's something else. Somehow the neural
tissue needs to be realigned so the artist sets a new course of his own
volition. In my observation, it's a self-anointed, narcissistic
ego-force that awakens the mad mentor within. Artist, zap thyself.
If you would like to read more information related to the above letter please visit the You are the music Clickback
---------
This article is reproduced with permission.
Copyright 2007 - Robert Genn.
To get more of Robert Genn's insight and inspiration for your artistic career, sign
up for his twice-weekly newsletter at:
The Robert Genn Twice-Weekly Letter:
http://www.painterskeys.com
---------
Editor's Note: Each day we republish selected comments and artwork by artists who comment about the previous day's article. If you would like to share your thoughts, artwork and views with thousands of artists and collectors, (not to mention getting a valuable inbound link to your website) be sure to post a comment on today's article at the following link. To be considered, be sure to provide your comment through the link NOT by simply replying to this email. Make sure to comment before the end of the day to be considered for inclusion in tomorrow's newsletter:
A chance to get your views and web site featured in tomorrow's letter:
http://fineartviews.com/491
Web Traffic Driver #9:
Build RSS Subscribers, Revisited
Tommy Thompson Wrote:
Clint,
We have found that the very best way to drive traffic to a web site is
to first have a web site with FineArtStudioOnline.com. We were
pleasantly surprised yesterday to see in our visitors' statistics that
someone at Time,Inc., New York, NY, viewed 97 pages on my web site. For
someone located in Alabama, this is a big deal. We noticed that they
found us via FineArtStudioOnline.com/tommythompsonart.com. Whether it
results in anything or not, we were still pleased that someone in NYC
had at least found my work.
We have also noticed that every time we send out our email newsletter
via FASO, the number of our visitors increases dramatically for several
days. We are increasingly encouraged as my work improves and the
opportunities to enhance my career expand.
In August I was fortunate enough to participate in Kevin Macpherson's
"En Plein Air Masters Chateau des Arts Mentoring Seminar" at Lake
Louise, Canada. Painting beside Kevin, who is not only a remarkable
painter but also an excellent teacher and a very personable guy,
allowed me to stretch myself. Because I approached this experience with
a willingness to depart from my comfort zone as far as painting is
concerned, I learned from almost every artist that I met, especially
Kevin. This was one of the best learning experiences of my life, and it
all occurred in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Another of
the pluses of this trip was that I became more familiar with the work
of the most beloved Canadian artist, Tom Thomson. Although I cannot
claim kin with him, I do get many hits on my web site from Canadians
looking for his work. Now all I need to do is to paint as well as he
did.
I was invited to conduct an oil painting demonstration and art talk to
the 150-member Mountain Brook Art Association in Birmingham, Alabama,
on October 25. Both my wife and I promoted FASO and what it offers to
all artists.
Thanks, Clint, for all that you do for painters everywhere. We continue
to sing your praises whenever and wherever we get the chance.
All the Best,
Tommy Thompson
More Comments:
http://fineartviews.com/490
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More
importantly, my work is now reaching people around the globe; I have
been contacted by galleries in England and France as well as artists
and collectors from as far away as Australia and South Africa.
Your
templates have allowed me to have a first class website with very
little work. It is easy to upload images and to maintain the
website...and I didn't have to become a webmaster to learn how to do
it.I couldn't be more pleased!"
- William A. Schneider, OPA PSA
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FOCAL POINT: beret
beret - A round, soft brimless tam (hat). It fits snugly, and is often
worn angled to one side. It has long been a traditional mode of head-covering
throughout Europe, and now other parts of the world. Men, women and children of
all walks have worn it, and continue to, but it has been popularly associated
with artists since the nineteenth century, to the extent that the stereotypical
artist is depicted wearing a beret.
Want More FineArtViews Right Now?
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http://www.clintwatson.net
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