My art is relatively uncontroversial.
I say relatively because there are elements that can make for conversation including the treatment of our heritage buildings, abandonment issues, trespassing and the UrbEx culture. These are topics a viewer can pull from the art themselves that may have little or no reflection on the artist.
There have been many discussions lately on how knowing the artist and the relationship we have with them influences what we like and what we buy in terms of art. I am married to a sales professional that manages teams and has developed programs that have reached across North America and Europe and he confirms that sales is all about relationships. But how much do you really know about the guy (or gal) who sells you a non-art product? Your relationship is based on the integrity of the transaction. Their personal life is rarely a part of that relationship.
As an artist or an art lover – how much do you want to know about an artist? What does the ideal relationship look like for you?
Off and on, I share here on the blog the bits and pieces of what has made me who I am – and my art what it is. I think about these things and sometimes I write them down. I am a writer as well as an artist so the occasional post that is not strictly about art leaks in. Am I out of bounds?
In my last newsletter, I wrote a “Love Letter to My Collectors”. In it I praised them for their support and for sharing their passion with me. I find as time goes on, I make art for them as much as myself. I may not know each one of them, but they are kindred spirits. I like to think that at the dinner party of my blog and newsletter, the characters around the table will feel free to add to the discussion which I am certain will lead us all back to art – because Art is Life. The arts wouldn’t exist without the need to express who we are.. There is nothing more moving to the audience than a musician playing their music with tears in their eyes, a dancer whose emotional pain shows through physical movement, the writer who tells a powerful story – the artist whose emotion is distilled into a single frozen form.
So how much do we reveal? Or do we let the art do all of the speaking? I am inclined to think that my tribe, my friends and my collectors might be disappointed if I never went outside the bounds a little.
What do you think?
About the Painting
This aquamarine room is from the unique and beautiful Sparrow Beach Lodge on the shores of Sparrow Lake in south Muskoka. I suppose a purist might take issue with my placing the chamber pot on top of the dresser, however, since it was one of the only original ones remaining in the hotel still intact, I wasn’t taking any chances by putting it on the floor! (Lakeside Room, 10×12 acrylic on canvas) © 2012 Michelle Basic Hendry You can read about my visit to the Lodge in my December 2010 post.
An odd question for me, as I don’t see the distinction between personal revelation through art vs writing. Only if art is considered nothing but a commodity or product (as it sometimes is) does revealing self pass boundaries. But expressive art always reveals more than intended, if the viewer is open to the experience, just as an artist can only be truly expressive if the are open to revelations. Of course this is different from presenting a visual work of art, and then carefully explaining what it means (which to me, is out of bounds, but for different reasons). Well, that’s my 20 cents (inflation) worth.
The new painting is beautiful, glad to see it. PS. I love ‘well-rounded’ blogs written by interesting people.
LOL! Thanks, Ingrid! (inflation!)
I think writing reveals more directly and can be (although not in certain forms) more revealing than other art forms. In saying what a work of art is about, I wonder if it ruins the mystery – or worse, does knowing the artists change how you connect to the work and make it less personal for the viewer? That’s what worries me…. 🙂 I want the viewer to put themselves into it. I don’t know if knowing the artist makes that easier or harder. In my personal experience, sometimes it can go either way… Thanks for your thoughts – more to chew on!
This question seems to be prompted by the way the internet mediates the work of artists to both a local and of course global audience. There are so many people in the world that have a website and promote themselves as artists, that I think it’s understandable that potential collectors are bombarded by ‘noise’. Who is authentic, sincere and in some ways worth investing their money in? I’m assuming that where collectors can read or watch videos of an artist they are interested in, may in some way contribute to connecting the two, then potentially take the next step and go beyond the initial superficial interaction?
No doubt there is a lot of noise out there and I agree, moving past the superficial may be be more than a nice thing – it may be necessary. I like the video idea. I toyed with it, but never followed through. With some of my houses no longer in existence, I now wish I had…. Thanks for the comment, Lee!
Michelle:
Because I handle each sale of my work personally I get to know my clients fairly well in the process, keeping them informed all along the way. I think it enhances the experience all around. I like to give and my collectors like to get personal attention. I think people like to have stories to tell when showing off their acquisitions, my involvement gives them that.
Perhaps my patrons and I are already “kindred spirits” as, out of all the art in all the world they have chosen mine. Also, it probably helps that 95% of my sales are word of mouth.
Another lovely painting.
Best, Kinsey
Your blog is a wonderful example of helping people connect to who you are and your environment, inspiration. Nature, politics, the struggles of living in a remote place… It’s all there.