BART Rider – Ink in small Moleskine sketchbook
(To Enlarge, click Images, select All Sizes)
Peets Coffee water display – Ink in small Moleskine sketchbook
Woman in the SFMOMA Cafe (loved her thick grey hair in a huge clasp)
Ink in small Moleskine sketchbook
Just before the earthquake Friday: BART Rider with Orchid just before the trains stopped. Ink in small Moleskine sketchbook
Friday, Susie and I met at the SF Museum of Modern Art on the opening day of Picasso and American Art. It was very interesting seeing Picasso’s groundbreaking paintings and the way American artists picked up his ideas and explored them in their own paintings. I think my favorites were the Willem de Kooning paintings; the first was quite derivative but you could see the development over the half dozen or so paintings spanning a couple of decades how his work progressed and matured into his own strong and unique voice.
More than anything, what I got from this show was the importance of an artist’s unique voice. I’ve been pondering what makes something “art” vs. decorative, pretty, marketable pictures; or what makes an artist a “real” artist. This exhibit helped me to understand that it’s not just technique, talent, or skill (all important things) — it’s also the expression of the artist’s unique view and personality that is essential. An artist doesn’t have to invent a new “ism” or create a whole new way of working like the impressionists, cubists, expressionists, etc. But a recognizable, unique and authentic voice or perspective that is courageously or confidently expressed (even if it’s ugly) seems like it might be the key.
Do you agree? Do you have an opinion of what makes an artist a “real” artist or art “real” art or do you think the whole question is irrelevant?
ADDENDUM: I must point out that my questioning this is all this in terms of my own place in the world: I’ve been painting and drawing and identifying myself as an artist for 30 years but there’s always that question in the back of my mind….that voice that says, “If you were a real artist you would…[fill in the blank].” I don’t meant to imply judgment on anyone else’s choice of style or work. Please see my comment in response to Katharine‘s comment for more.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
12 replies on “Sketches & Picasso Exhibit”
Jana! These are wonderful!!!! Free-looking lines, yet accurate and vibrant! LOVE THEM!!!
I too was at the museum with a “Sue” yesterday — fun time!
As to your question — I think I tend to agree with you … Rather than a specific ‘ism, I’m more inclined to follow an artist for his or her own voice, personality, style …. those things appeal to me most …
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I feel like I was sitting next to you doing these wonderful sketches! They are so ‘everyday’
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I really like the women from behind!
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couldn´t you have taken me along to the Picasso exhibition? 😉 He´s my fav. artist.
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Your question is interesting, and one I think a lot about. Where I’ve landed is that the “real” artist has something to say; the “decorative” artist has something to decorate. Determining which is which on a single glance is probably a perilous act, however. And I’m betting there are gray areas.
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was there an earthquake? we don’t really get them here. funny you should mention an earthquake and ‘ground-breaking’ paintings together…
I love this style of sketching, it reminds me of a book which contained the lyrics and poetry of shane mcgowan (the pogues) i read as a youth and it was illustrated with photos and sketches of the band which were in the same style, i was so encapsulated how this style can really catch an expression, an essence with such simplicity and individual personality, it was inspiring. This reminds me of that. Very nice!
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I’m loathe to label people who produce ‘decorative’ art as not being ‘real artists’.
However, in my own mind, art which is more likely to endure and/or find an appreciative audience from those maybe more well informed about art in general is likely to be art which as gone beyond technique and is about an artist finding their own unique way of creating art.
Somebody once distilled it for me into a distinction which I think is rather too crude. She referred to ‘art as craft’ and ‘art as concept’ – with the distinct implication that somehow the latter was better. I’m not sure it is. I don’t know if a ‘real artist’ has to have something to say. What I do feel they have to have is a distinct view about how they want their art to look for whatever reason. They should have a consistent style which has been developed over time and even if derivative in origin it must be unique to them rather than a copy of the latest ‘fad/trend’.
Nice sketches! Have you ever tried drawing during an earthquake? 😉
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Possibly being an artist is working at it enough to have created your own style over time … There for awhile, I thought all my work had a different look from the last piece I did. Finally there is a unity…. and say’s it’s mine.
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Nancy, I can relate! That’s starting to happen for me too, which makes me happy.
Karen, I like the catchy way you put it, but agree about the grey areas!
Pete, Yes there was an earthquake…3.4 — not huge and I didn’t even feel it being on BART.
Katharine, As I noted in the addendum on my post after reading your message, I should have said that I was thinking about all this in terms of my own place in the world–when will I believe I’m a “real” artist? I’ve been painting and drawing and identifying myself as an artist for 30 years but there’s still always that question in the back of my mind….that voice that says, “If you were a real artist you would…[fill in the blank].” I hadn’t meant to imply judgment on anyone else’s choice of style or work and I’m glad you showed me that it could be taken that way.
For years my goal was to be skilled enough to be able to paint pictures that were both beautiful and representational…to be able to capture the beauty or things I saw in the world around me and get it down on paper or canvas. I guess it’s a matter of continually raising the bar; reaching one goal and setting another and also recognizing and understanding what moves me when I look at art, whether mine or others’. It’s that strong voice or unique point of view along with an attractive image that I really enjoy seeing.
And yes, I guess I have drawn during an earthquake because I was drawing on BART during the quake but didn’t feel it, being on a moving bumpy train. Normally when there’s an earthquake I go into panic mode wondering if this is finally “the Big One” and wouldn’t be drawing!
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Wonderful sketches Jana, and a thought-provoking post. I think you’ve come very close to the answer here, a mature confident voice may be what grabs us in some artists’ work, while often a beautifully executed work will have no soul. This can go too far though, when an artist’s style becomes so well known as to be almost a brand – as in Picasso’s later work.
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lovely sketches and an interesting blog 🙂
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I think about that too and as I’m feeling flippant today I have to question that oft said ‘something to say’ . Most human beings have something to say so why should an artist be more important for having an opinion? (Not asking you, Jana, just asking generally) I really don’t think anyone has the answer to what makes one a ‘real’ artist and I suspect many say it’s this or it’s that to try and form a pecking order. I think if it’ something inside you and it has to be expressed then why not be called an artist? I think many people claiming to be artists have some sort of an agenda (perhaps to impress) or it’s a fad, but if it’s a constant and is with you regardless of how difficult/easy or how well executed or in fashion it is – well I think deep down if you feel it, you know it.
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