On all these reality TV shows, whether it is cooking, singing, dancing or home decorating, you always hear the judges saying the contestants need to “find their voice”. At first I did not really understand what they meant, but as I watch more (purely research purposes of course) I got what they meant. The contestant had to find the style that suited them.
I feel like I need to do that with art. I am not talking restrict myself to one thing like only paint, or only draw. I will always be trying new things and techniques but I need to discover my style. I will still bake, sew, make cards, do various crafts, spray paint chairs, renovate and upcycle etc. but I am talking specifically about my artwork. I see fantastic works of art that people are creating and think – wow, I’d love to paint like that or draw in that style or whatever. But I know, I would never or could never do that. It is not my style!
But what is my style? That is the problem. I feel that I need to define it, to “own” it. I don’t know if I am making any sense?? But I feel that I need to concentrate on what works for me and I know that this should be easy and perfectly clear but I am finding it hard.
There are a few things that I know for sure. I love drawing! But I need a reference. I can’t draw “out my head”. I love people and portraits. I like paining in oils, but also love pencil, ink and charcoal. I am better at realistic than fanciful. But that is probably just because I have no confidence in my creative abilities. So taking these as starting points I am going to try and work on defining my style. I know it will change over time and I will improve. For now I am going to draw more, as I mentioned in my post “Making a Plan” I want to try and draw something every day. Not a masterpiece or even a full sketch. I am happy if it is only a doodle, but I want to pick up a pencil or pen and draw.
Do you know your voice? Are you trying to find it?
If you look at the tabs at the top of my page there is one labled “Art Work”. I have some of my pictures and paintings there.