I've been interviewing creative types asking the question; "WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE AN ARTIST?". You can read some of their answers at http://www.scotthull.com/artists/news/
I would love to hear your answer... Why not post it?
I'm trying to think back to my very very first memories in life, and wondering if I knew I was an artist back then....and yes. It's always been there. Like breathing!
I try to imagine what it would be like to have not been born with my abilities...I would really be missing out!
PS Everyone: The Communication Arts competition deadline was extended to the 13th (tomorrow) and now you can send your entry online! Have you entered yet???
Nice website Scott! I had not checked it out in a long time!
I am not sure there was a "moment".
Here is a answer from a blog interview I did a couple months ago. It still makes me laugh:
"One of the funniest drawing memories I have is when I was in the fifth grade. We had to do portraits of each other in art class.
I drew my best friend.
She was horrified by my portrait of her and wrote me a note with bullet points describing why she hated it so much and how she would never talk to me again if I did not destroy the picture.
I think what really turned her off was that I drew her head on a marble column in a museum. I thought it was cool but taste is individual."
Actually, I really got interested in drawing in high school. I read a lot the black and white comis at the time (especially Elfquest) and wanted to be a comic book artist.
"Knowing" I am an artist? It's a strange idea. I play guitar, but I don't think of myself as a musician.
I was perhaps the best artist in my public school, but for around 8 years after high school, I mostly quit creating art and gathered life experience instead. Peace Corps, Bohemianism, New Orleans. Filled my head to near-bursting.
Then in 1994, I saw the film "Crumb." I recognized that comics and art were my natural outlet. The experiences of my life rushed out, filling hundreds of pages.
When I was nine or ten years old I took four of my drawings - portraits of 'Dream Team' basketball players - to a local sports memorabilia shop and asked if the guy behind the counter would be willing to try to sell them. As I was talking to him a kid came in and expressed interest in buying one of 'em right then and there. In my excitement I sold the drawing for one dollar. As far as I know, not one of the others ever sold, but I was now a professional artist.
For 75 +/- years. When I was about 4 or 5 my older brother 8 and I rode together on the "Zoo Eden" street car to the Cincinnati Art Museum for art class. [Yes, back then children could go every place with no fear. If they got lost someone would help them get home.]
Was I an artist then? Yes, as most children are. Art is life. Even the plates and cutlery you choose, the color of your walls or the pictures of Elvis Presley with gaudy, bright colors, he was a gaudy, bright personality and the artist who did those works probably enjoyed what he/she was doing - and her work sells!!!!
There are artists who are better, there are artist who are worse. I have met people who would throw out much of Dali's work or think Rambrant's work is pretty. Who am I to judge what others consider art. Ya know, they had works that elephants and monkeys painted hanging in the Chicago Art Museum of Art and most likely in other museums too.
Oh well, the old lady has has completed this lecture.
I'm trying to think back to my very very first memories in life, and wondering if I knew I was an artist back then....and yes. It's always been there. Like breathing!
ReplyDeleteI try to imagine what it would be like to have not been born with my abilities...I would really be missing out!
PS Everyone:
ReplyDeleteThe Communication Arts competition deadline was extended to the 13th (tomorrow) and now you can send your entry online!
Have you entered yet???
I just read mine again on the site and it's waaaaay too long to repost.
ReplyDeleteJohn - that's why I have your answer posted on the site, http://www.scotthull.com/artists/news/...
ReplyDeleteFOLKS CHECK OUT MR. MAGGARD'S FIRST EXPERIANCE!!!!
Nice website Scott! I had not checked it out in a long time!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure there was a "moment".
Here is a answer from a blog interview I did a couple months ago. It still makes me laugh:
"One of the funniest drawing memories I have is when I was in the fifth grade. We had to do portraits of each other in art class.
I drew my best friend.
She was horrified by my portrait of her and wrote me a note with bullet points describing why she hated it so much and how she would never talk to me again if I did not destroy the picture.
I think what really turned her off was that I drew her head on a marble column in a museum. I thought it was cool but taste is individual."
Actually, I really got interested in drawing in high school. I read a lot the black and white comis at the time (especially Elfquest) and wanted to be a comic book artist.
"Knowing" I am an artist? It's a strange idea. I play guitar, but I don't think of myself as a musician.
ReplyDeleteI was perhaps the best artist in my public school, but for around 8 years after high school, I mostly quit creating art and gathered life experience instead. Peace Corps, Bohemianism, New Orleans. Filled my head to near-bursting.
Then in 1994, I saw the film "Crumb." I recognized that comics and art were my natural outlet. The experiences of my life rushed out, filling hundreds of pages.
I was an artist because it gave my life a voice.
When I was nine or ten years old I took four of my drawings - portraits of 'Dream Team' basketball players - to a local sports memorabilia shop and asked if the guy behind the counter would be willing to try to sell them. As I was talking to him a kid came in and expressed interest in buying one of 'em right then and there. In my excitement I sold the drawing for one dollar. As far as I know, not one of the others ever sold, but I was now a professional artist.
ReplyDeleteFor 75 +/- years. When I was about 4 or 5 my older brother 8 and I rode together on the "Zoo Eden" street car to the Cincinnati Art Museum for art class. [Yes, back then children could go every place with no fear. If they got lost someone would help them get home.]
ReplyDeleteWas I an artist then? Yes, as most children are. Art is life. Even the plates and cutlery you choose, the color of your walls or the pictures of Elvis Presley with gaudy, bright colors, he was a gaudy, bright personality and the artist who did those works probably enjoyed what he/she was doing - and her work sells!!!!
There are artists who are better, there are artist who are worse. I have met people who would throw out much of Dali's work or think Rambrant's work is pretty. Who am I to judge what others consider art. Ya know, they had works that elephants and monkeys painted hanging in the Chicago Art Museum of Art and most likely in other museums too.
Oh well, the old lady has has completed this lecture.
Bev Funk