Art should speak to you, it should share its story. Art is a powerful way to share ideas, a story, a message to the observer. It should speak volumes without saying a word, move and motivate you to a deeper understanding. However, I have a question? Should everything that is created be called art? It seems that everything that is illustrated is tagged with the word, "artwork". However does that mean everyone that scribbles something on paper considered artwork?
The reason for this post is something that has bothered me most of my adult life and even when I was in school, which I must confess was some time ago; is Andy Warhol all that and a bag of chips? Andy Warhol and others create artwork that looks like the artwork that my nephews created when they were just children and it was taped to the refrigerator door. I have to ask that question, is that considered art? Is doodling on a piece of paper when you are on the phone, is that art? A picture of an aspirin bottle, is that considered art? Art is created when an idea is put on paper or some other substrate, but it doesn't make you a great artist, that takes years of mastering your craft.
In the printing industry every element that goes on the page is called artwork, except the photographs, and they are called halftones. That is a whole other topic that will not get into, but is everything created by anyone make them a great artist? I will have to say no.
Was Andy Warhol a great artist? no in my opinion he was not, but that is just that, my opinion, and it really doesn't matter a bit. However, does it make me cringe that he took Marilyn Monroe and added some color to her lips and eyelids and then called it art, does that make it art? Not to me.
Art is subjective and to everyone it means something different. It can be interpreted differently. This is just a blog of this authors ideas, not a book, so I will keep it short. Expand your minds and ask yourself, what does art mean to you?
Art is one of the most important aspects of our lives. From the beginning of time there has been art; on cave walls, on canvas and paper, carved into wood, painted on everything you can think of, but art helps to inspire, to create ideas, to make life better. Almost everyone has that desire to create it. As children we drew on our parents walls and didn't worry if it was good or not, we just had that desire to create. So go out there and create, or just go to the nearest gallery and enjoy the beauty of creation.
