Happy 152nd birthday, Vinnie!
Van Gogh saw more in the dark than most people see in the light of day. He saw details, nuances, beauty in a single night sky. And he was able to describe what he saw to make it come alive for us, to describe it in words and, even more, in paint. He shared his vision by comparing it with references we can all understand.
Creativity is about imagination and yet it’s about reality too. Seeing the world as it is truly is, right now, observing carefully so you can respond to what IS – without that grounding in reality, flights of imagination are unconvincing. Thus the old saw: write what you know.
Your audience will always need a common launch pad. If you are completely detached, self-involved, no one will relate to or enjoy you work. They will be confused or disgusted. But the keener your sense of observation the more you will draw your audience in. The funniest stand up comedians are the ones that tell the truth; the best actors embody their characters by nuanced observations that we recognize too; musicians who write love songs without understanding emotion are hacks who produce only clichés.
The most interesting drawings are often of “damaged”, aged, weather beaten objects. Real faces complete with wrinkles, asymmetry, dings and dents. They seem alive because their owners are willing to embrace their experience. Perfection is just a cartoon. Botox erases life.
The same is true of how you draw. Beginners think there is some sort of ideal perfection toward which all artists strive, that ultimately all artists want to be able to capture reality with photographic accuracy. In truth, art is about the individual through which vision is channeled. It reflects the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of the mind that turns the observation into lines on paper.
Excerpted from The Creative License, available from Hyperion in January '06.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
On the nail, Danny. Trouble is, getting past the fear. Fear of revealing oneself, fear of what you will find, fear of what others will find, fear of rejection.
So, if you have an antidote or cure-all for fear, send us some on Everyday Matters as soon as you can!
Posted by: blue | March 30, 2005 11:44 AM
Blue:
For a complete and utterly satisfying answer, you'll have to buy the book. It won't be very expensive and I will give you back your money if you feel it's at all a gyp.
Your pal,
Danny
Posted by: Danny | March 30, 2005 11:52 AM
Hmm. You make some interesting points, and then end up somewhere a little preachy... Maybe I'm mistaking earnest ethusiasm for self importance. Its hard to tell I guess when given an "unadulterated" excerpt of something.
Posted by: beth maher | March 30, 2005 12:53 PM
Good point, Beth. It's part of a larger, self-help sort of thing, the assumption being that those reading it are looking for some sort of direction which I go on to give more specifically in the following bits.
In fact, I'm going to trim the last two paragraphs off this post.
Posted by: Danny | March 30, 2005 01:44 PM
symmetry isn't everything....
Posted by: fern | March 30, 2005 02:28 PM
Love the VVG quote and I'm really looking forward to your book.
Posted by: Barbara | March 30, 2005 05:23 PM
Thanks you for doing this tribute to Vincent on his birthday. He is far and away my favourite artist of his time. The Poet and I travelled to Amsterdam in December and saw his paintings in the Van Goch Museum. We also had the immense joy of seeing more of them at the Muse d'Orey in Paris and the National Gallery and Somerset House in London. How I envy people who live in the northern hemisphere who have access to these wonders of the art world on a day to day basis! It does make the 21 hours on a plane from Sydney worthwhile, though!
Posted by: Robyn | March 30, 2005 06:17 PM
What a treat! Thanks for giving us this preview of your new book.
:~) Sharon
Posted by: sharon | March 30, 2005 06:29 PM
I checked in late today and read the comments above... I hope you didn't cut the last two paragraphs yet, because i love what i read... If you didn't, i'm not sure i understand what Beth is saying.
At any rate, studing your work has been important to me, but i'm finding that studing your writing and thought process might actually be more imporant.
Your insight helps artists no matter what level they are.
I just can't wait until Jan 06....
Harry
Posted by: Big Harry H | March 30, 2005 08:11 PM
Thanks for the reminder Danny,
I've just started as a writer, after many years of doing "abstract but creative" work in software. I forget to put myself into my writing much of the time. Thanks for reminding me on how to make things alive.
All those years of abstraction took their toll. Now I have to think and feel. Yikes!
Posted by: kate | March 30, 2005 08:28 PM
*
Oh !
I just figured out your cut and paste and color change magic on those daubs of paint !
Very nicely done.
:-)
*
Posted by: dhyana rose | March 30, 2005 09:00 PM
Don't you just love how they changed the Google logo to reflect his birthday? I think it's really neat.
Posted by: JennySmith | March 30, 2005 09:24 PM
Danny
your tribute to vincent is lovely - what beauty he brought to this world, huh. wanted again to say thanks for your words and art, without which there would be no "blarneybytes" and i can never repay you for that little joy in my life. cheers from a sleepy commenter lately but everyday reader
when does the book show on bookshelves? i can't wait!
Posted by: patty | March 31, 2005 10:22 AM
Great post!
Posted by: Diong | March 31, 2005 02:43 PM