What is the "mark" of a mature artist?

#7

Great topic. I agree with your thoughts on this.
For me, a mature artist not only has to have an open mind, but also have enough technical skills to realize his visions. A man with an idea might be creative, but not an artist. An artist not only has to think creatively, but also know how to make that thought become a “material thing” so to say.
However, a person who only knows how to operate CG software isn’t an artist. He’s just a technician.

#8

I recently was talking with a few people about art for arts sake, and, while stated differently, I think one of the guys made a very astute observation that a mature artist doesn’t make art for arts sake.

#9

This is a view I haven’t heard expressed before, but I totally agree with. For me “art for arts sake” has often translated into nebulous blobs of color haphazardly thrown on a canvas in 15 minutes and then sold off to the MOMA for $50,000 + .

The notion that deliberate thought, planning, and purpose are irrelevent to (non-commercial) art is an ideology I’ve run up against in many “modern art” enclaves. Makes me nauseous and perpetuates the idea that “anything” is entitled to be labeled artistic in nature.

#10

And now we’re getting to the mollion dollar question…

“Just what is art?” :arteest:

But maybe this should be asked in another thread… :smiley:

#11

AAAAAAARRRRRGH! It’s my fault! I knew I was heading down that muddy slope but I couldn’t keep my big mouth shut :smiley:

#12

There are few questions I hate more.

Totally agree with ChrisWhite and Segvoia, though. A mature artist shouldn’t feel the need to validate themselves to the world through their work.

#13

In my opinion, the mark of mature artists is when they find their OWN style. Period. For good or ill, it’s theirs.

E.

#14

I don’t agree with that at all… You just HAVE it, you don’t FIND it. -_-

#15

I find it hard to conceive a mature artist who (regardless of age) isn’t already a mature person. I suppose it comes down to what has already been mentioned about experiencing life. Art in in my mind is all about communicating what we as individuals experience in our lives. Communicating thoughts, ideas, notions, emotions, fears, hopes and dreams.

In art, as in life we are always learning. By recognising the value of constructive criticism and the useless value of groundless negative feedback, the mature student of art and life can progress and grow. Someone without maturity (be they an artist or not) will hamstring their own emotional development by reacting defensively against any and all criticism, and not perceive the lessons to be learned before them.

If you don’t get out there and live life every now and again, it is real easy for your work to stagnate, even though it may be technically ok.

As for style…I think even that changes and develops with you. Especially if you work digitally, due to the huge amount of advances and approaches available.

Having just gone through some major changes in my life, I have been re-assessing the way I approach life and also how I create my artwork. I see both as being interconnected on all levels.

I have also re-discovered that rather than do the “correct” thing all the time, its fun to be pretty immature and reckless sometimes! You never know what you may stumble upon. :wink:

#16

Really good points there Efberg, I agree that you must be a mature person to be a mature artist.

#17

[QUOTE=CgMonkey]I don’t agree with that at all… You just HAVE it, you don’t FIND it. -_-[/
QUOTE]

What a crock! While I agree some just have natural-born talent, you don’t start grade school with the same “style” you graduate with. That’s ridiculous.

#18

  1. Must have solid art foundation knowledge (composition, perspective, anatomy, figure drawing, color theory…etc).

  2. Must have highly developed skill (various rendering techniques).

  3. Must have a personal vision that’s easily identifiable.

  4. Must have solid knowledge of art history, and variety of contemporary art–from illustration to fine art to entertainment design…etc.

  5. Must be able to articulate ideas/knowledge into words, and have the ability to pass information on as a teacher.

#19

There are very few artists out there that will meet all your “requirements”.

#20

M’yeah, I’m inclined to agree… artistic maturity as such shouldn’t rely on the knowledge of external references such as history, but rather be something focused only on the artist in question and the work produced.

I’d say (or add/modify):

  • Clearly recognisable style.

  • The sufficient skills to accurately translate the “inner vision” to a finished piece, every single time.

  • The ability to switch to an entirely different style whenever the situation calls for it, yet still be able to reach the same quality.

.

#21

I agree with ed and cgmonkey both; you find your own style through working on your skills as an artist but naturally you will also have a unique way of doing things which just becomes more pronounced as you refine skills.

The maturity you gain as an artist does depend to a degree on how you utilise knowledge of art history. It’s like literature and writing; if a book is good by itself it may not seem to matter whether or not the writer studied the history of writing, yet having the knowledge there may mean that he/she is able to incorporate and build on ideas that have already been explored and create better artworks.

#22

moonlantern,
Thank-you for more eloquently making my point.
When I was young, people would always say things to me like " You painted that?" or better yet, “No way you did that!” I always took that as a compliment understanding that they thought someone with greater experience only could have produced whichever piece they were looking at. Now, I AM an old guy with greater experience. I found my “style” ages ago. I won’t say my stuff is better than everyone elses, but it’s different. I guess my point is, that I’ve lived life, seen things, GREAT artists work, all of which, (whether we are aware of it or not), influence the output of our skills.
My greatest challenge in recent years was the transition to CG. The most significant breakthrough, (for me at least), was the use of pre-vis for my own 2D artwork. Computers! What a tool! I needn’t even go outside. Although I’ve NEVER taken pictures for reference, I can slap together a quick scene in 3D and view it from all angles, dabble with different lighting setups, etc. I’m lovin’ life.( And technology).
E.

#23

What’s interesting is that some people interpret mature as unique, and others interpret it as excellent, and some people combine the two ideas: that a mature artist is a highly skilled individual. I like that approach. It’s someone who has not only “found themself”, but also manages to impress you somehow.

One attribute of a mature artist is just how intuitive they make everything seem. Watching them work is even fun. After watching demos of great artists, I tend to spend more time in “play” mode, rather than fretting too much about each individual mark.

#24

There are very few artists out there that will meet all your “requirements”.

I guess there are very few mature artists then… :slight_smile:
I don’t see what’s so hard about them? A good theoretical foundation, skill, more than one technique, some art history, being able to teach what you do… sounds like the absolute minimum for any professional illustrator.

#25

I say a true artist is who follows this rule - "THE STOP THAT KEEPS YOU GOING…:wink: "

#26

I guess it only looks easy when you’re already on the other side of the fence. The rest of us will go on struggling. :wink:

Joking aside, I’m glad Steven agrees. Those really ARE the bare minimum for any professional artist–at least one that will have the respect of his peers and colleagues (not just impress the Rubes and make them go “Oooh…ahhhhh”)–and that’s the kind of artist I’d say is “mature.” Making a living with art skills alone does not mean someone is a mature artist–there are plenty of hack artists out there making a living.