Seeing

 8-10-2020


“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

Edgar Degas

What does an artist see? How does the artist translate it to others? How does the magic of an art work happen? One of the first things that an artist learns is how to see.  Beginning with rudimentary observation skills to the development of intuitive creating, seeing becomes paramount to the creation of any art work.  Seeing encompasses a large percentage of the creative process. But what is 'seeing'? It is more that just looking at something to copy it.  Seeing involves much deeper and intuitive factors. Seeing allows the artist to take what is before her/him and bring to to a place of significance - bringing it out of the ordinary, of cognizance - making the artist and viewer aware of something new, and transcendence - transforming the moment to a new level of understanding.  

It is within these factors that an art work speaks.  The creative endeavor of an artist aims to reach others with it, allowing the viewer to have a new experience from the work. The artist allows the viewer to see the essence of the subject matter and that brings a new awareness.  This can enrich the soul, it can cause apathy, or it can bring the soul to a place of distress.  In any case, a new understanding is achieved. Art can be about beauty within a dark world but all art does not have to be pretty or positive. This world has its share of tragedy.  The art must be honest and that sometimes, involves showing the world as it is.  The significance rises when a new realization is actualized, seen, and an honest response is given. The experience touches the sublime. Thus making others see is the point of art - to create works that touch the spirit and awaken the transcendent, bringing to the ordinary, the extraordinary. The experience of art should give the viewer a new appreciation of what was once unknown. 

The charge to artists then, is to create work that will engage. It is a sacred charge, a charge that unites and transforms through a created act. It is an act that truly defines us as human.  So until next time, see, create, engage, and enjoy.  



Susan M. Gibbons
Stirring 27
Acrylic and Watersoluble Graphite
on Canvas
2020
36"x60"x1.5"


  


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9-11-18

Image
9-11-18 Seventeen years since your soul was silenced Seventeen years of tears and emptiness Seventeen years of mourning and grieving Seventeen years of remembering and reflecting Seventeen years of wondering and honoring Seventeen years of rebuilding and remaking Seventeen years since you were taken Seventeen years of moving forward, yet looking back Seventeen years without you
Read more

An Uncomfortable Place

Image
 11-9-2020 I hit the wall. I got to the point where I couldn't create. I'm slowly coming out of it but it lasted a couple of months. I couldn't create. The only thing I could do was rest and think. Even then, thinking was difficult. It has been a long while since I was in this place. I'm usually very productive and creative but this time, all of my energy was sapped. It was an uncomfortable place. I had painted over 30 paintings and almost 20 drawings. I felt I was on a roll but it came to a screeching halt. Was I tired? Yes. Did I feel like I exhausted my possibilities with my work? No. But I felt a change coming. What that is, I'm not sure yet. I feel a new sense of stirring which will inform my work but I'm in the dark as to what it is. I know I need to get into the studio and work it out. This is unknown and uncharted territory of which I embrace. I'm excited to see what comes out of it but I'm still tired. I'm still in this place of inaction. I&
Read more

June 12, 2014

Well, I got the call... the one I was expecting but didn't want to get.  My mom needs to either to have a companion with her or we need to move her into assisted living.  My mother has dementia and it is progressing.  We've been uneasily waiting for this day to come and it is now here. The call came yesterday while I was on my lunch hour at work so I was able to take it.  As would be expected, a myriad of questions and emotions filled my mind and heart and I found that I could think somewhat clearly but not enough to ask everything I needed to ask.  That's what today is for...  pulling myself together to handle everything that mom needs.  Spending time on the phone with family and agencies has been draining but it is that season of life.  Things are the way they are; it is what it is. Many thoughts are going through my head regarding mom's care and making sure she is comfortable and secure in her surroundings.  The last thing we all want is to make a decision that w
Read more