Fear

If one looks closely at my works, there are empty bottles, droopy flowers, muddy colors all signifying my fear of meaninglessness. Great topic, Drew.

That is very interesting Lisa! I think many excellent masterpieces contain artist's expression of Fear! It may be simply added as a way of giving away and letting go of the artist's fear.
What a fantastic example! Thank you!

Fear of the unknown, of the known, personal fear and more generic fears. All affect my work as do other emotions. Two works that have made me stop in my tracks over the years are Picasso's Guernica and Goyas The Sleep of Reason produces Monsters, that series.

Prohibited, no, explored yes, even personifying demons.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/spare-him-his-life-from-this-monstrosity-james-mccormack.html

James, those 2 masterpieces are the exact Artworks I had in mind when typing up this subject !

I'm afraid it is getting late and I will return tomorrow if there is a tomorrow to wake up to......LOL!

So I will leave it to the forum members to please stay on subject and self moderate.
Thank you and good night.

Lisa, this one painting of yours draws HUGE emotion in me... THIS is THE most favorite painting I purchased from you... and I purchased several... I just LOVE this beyond words..

Drew,

I make political statements in my art that well could cause consternation in others. Consternation being their fear. I break from ideologies of power. Some could see that as their loss.

Dave

I came here after reading Pamela's harrowing tail of escaping fire. It's ironic. (Not ironic"haha")

In that thread I noted Gallows Humor. I was happy to because I was looking to ask if Optimism is just another form of Gallows Humor? Just a smile we paste on our face to hide the fact that (not even deep down) we know that we are {Expletive Deleted} (Talking about famous quotes)? So yeah, I agree, great topic.

The "art" I do for here doesn't qualify for symbolism added. But this isn't the only kind of art I do. I do believe that it is driven by fear. Which is a reflection of the above, That fear is at least A parent of optimism. (Which others have viewed as defeatism. But I choose to believe they are misinterpreting the situation).

I know FDR said it, and I know Churchill said it. It could be one of the great bits of advice since Pandora opened that damned bottle. But that puts me in mind of that greatest of Optimists, a contemporary the above Messrs. One George Orwell. Today, we're watching it happen. Those that want to control the masses are using the product "Fear" in their marketing mix. We are being force fed fear fiercely! And we LOVE it. We crave it!

What are adrenalin junkies addicted to? What cause adrenalin spurts? "Fight or flight" We all know we are going to get mad at something someone says on the teevee or the tinnernet. If we didn't like it we'd stop. How many times did you stick your hand in fire? We don't do things that we don't like to do. We DO do Fear. And we are under control.

But the advice is, I believe, correct. Allowing fear to take control of your actions is a bad idea. "Remember, what the dormouse said... Keep you head!"

PLAU (Although you would probably prefer it if I signed off "BOO!")
UPD

Good topic, Drew. Recently I have been thinking about fear of death, because there is an age at which one is close to it,
and emotionally concerned about it.......whether or not it will be quick,etc. But, I've let go of that fear and look forward to an end to it all.
And, therefore, I'm fearless now....and that has affect my artmaking.
I used to do social commentary, political art, because I am inclined to be tortured by man's inhumanity to man.
But, with tempus fugit, I let go of those concerns too. The artwork has changed therefore. I'm 'fearless' in a new way.
I do agree that the artworks you mention always struck fear into me.

Not a bad thing to experience. I'm over it. I can't even paint it. I do paint sorrow........my own.
Oh, and, love. Never over 'love'........

I mostly use my very close knowledge of fear in my writing. http://yoursbyshores.com Fear and I are old friends I'm afraid...(no pun intended). Suffering from PTSD, the nightmares are real.

I have got several paintings up also that exorcise some fear I was feeling the time... although nothing like the fear from my past.

I couldn't have done any of the work while in the midst of the fear. You're too busy trying to fight the 'demons'. But afterwards you can look back and use it to create. All this is my personal opinion only.

Sorry, I just wanted to add that I've never actually painted anything to cause fear...... Yet.

Fear? Yap, have done that or so i think i did. Don´t know if this is an image thread so i just place the links

2 Examples of images that (i think) provoke fear

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/agent-47dressed-to-kill-hans-zimmer.html


https://fineartamerica.com/featured/unpleasant-experiences-hans-zimmer.html

At 83, I'm riddled with fear of being on Life's final lap.

But as with my dear friend Viva, I refuse to let it enter my art

But instead of expressing sorrow, I try to express the absurdity of being old.

In other words,

JUST GRIN AND BEAR IT!

(Harry and his cohorts have their own approach to that aphorism)



WARNING!....Enlarge at your own RISK

..." How does the emotion of fear effect your creations?
Are any of your works a reaction to Fear?
Is fear used as part of your intended message in part or in whole?
Should fear be a genre or should it be taboo for art? "...

An interesting set of questions and an interesting topic; and said issue has been the crux of much thought for centuries. Edmund Burke's writings come to mind, on: Beauty vs Sublime. And Wilhelm Worringer, for his, 'Abstraction and Empathy' is wrapped around the idea of fear.

To the questions: 1- The works acknowledge the potential of form affecting such emotion. 2- [reaction to fear] assuredly on a unconscious level... 3- But never the 'intended' message. 4- To encapsulate such a transcendent would be an impossibility. And to taboo it in art would probably make art insignificant.

wonderful topic

Drew another thought provoking question or questions you pose about art. I must say with so many thing to occupy my mind and so little time for it all I must be some what selective on what thoughts I expend time and effort on.

Fear certainly is something that effects all humans at some point in life, some more than others, how that effects the creative process and to what degree I haven't a clue. In my own work I notice things after the fact, I can't say I have a process to tap into my emotions in order to decide to create something. I don't really even know why I create. I do know that if I spent more time thinking about the why I would probably create less.

As in all things in life the more I learn it seems the less I know.

Fear is certainly an emotion that could drive art. I was thinking more in the lines of fear of failure. Failure to make it or at least contribute in the art world. Fear of failure could be the drive to get an artist on the ball and keep fine tuning his/her talents or it could have an adverse affect in that the artist has so much fear of failure they don't even try. idk, just my two cents.

@Abbie,
PTSD and 'use it to create'. I get that, fear being used for creativity. PTSD/shell shock was diagnosed 100 years ago in 1917, I did some research on it as part of a series on War (partially based on my own fear and a visit to Hiroshima many years ago). I felt the need to perpetuate the fear of war and the political "isms" associated. I had some knowledge recounted from those involved in WW II, but no idea of WWI, things like mustard gas. Horrific, disturbing. But cannot be forgotten so that it might not be repeated.

@Terrance,
unconscious and never the intended message, how so? Because we can never face our own real fears? For me PTSD is partly facing raw fear.

There is a lot to be explored in this.

@Hans
Excellent work, fear implied by the subject, leaving the rest to our imagination. The macabre is fascinating.

Psychological studies of human character put anxiety at the center of our characters. Plates of behavior covering up if you will that fear or anxiety. As we grow we move a plate, and we feel pain, tension etc.......

In art terms, for me, creativity is the ability to move the plates and grow while healing.

If you think of youth as being less aware and less knowledgeable by definition, creativity for me has always charted a path(s) in life. Interestingly lower level jobs, in an office, restaurant, retail store or laboring, often offer less creativity, and in our human society are dreaded at times by some of us. If dreaded by some, is that based on our own inner workings?

Now many people here in retirement turn to creative outlets. The act of painting for some can be healing.

Dave

James, thank you so much for your kind statement, time and for watching! Didn´t really expect someone to click on my links :o)

@Drew
Just noticed your price!!

@Hans you always make me think, even if I don't comment. Perhaps because your photography is not obvious (and in this case implies fear)

(Edited)

@ James, my post is in regard to my own conscious 'intent', when working form into image - that is within my personal process. For someone else to intend their subject is of course fair-game and very often necessary.

..."Because we can never face our own real fears?"... On the contrary, a person - IMO - might well need to do so. I applaud you and anyone else who recognizes such importance in their life and creative actions. In fact I would hope that more people recognized the depth that creative process enhances their living-event.

For myself, an image manifests a dialogue - within the viewer; the viewer, and the image, 'in-a-way', discuss potential subjects that come to the viewer's mind. I work to that idea and have found it enlightening to areas that I was never consciously aware of or simply had forgotten (unconscious). I hope I have answered your question - the subject is very large, as is the subject of 'fear'.

edit - It is never my 'intention' to strick fear into a viewer.

Most artist I talk with admit to having fear when sharing their works. This is a bad habit to overcome, but understandable because you're putting something personal to you out into the world. The fastest way to success is to replace bad habits with good habits. And one way is knowing when to 'ship' your work and overcoming procrastination to make it perfect.

Seth Godin says much on his blog about the topic of fear https://seths.blog/?s=fear

Finally one of my favorite quotes:

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real. -- Zig Ziglar

Yes, I did wake up to a new day!

Each and every one of your contributions been over the top and deserve pondering and a respectful response.

Throughout the day, I will reflect on what has been said and try to make sense of it all before I attempt to respond to everyone's awesome statements and comments.

Continue with your discussion and if you like, include a link to specific relevant artwork. I do not want this to be an image dump but I will personally follow a link that leads to your faa image page.

Food for thought:

Goya's Monsters created in a pseudo-realistic manner depicting monsters imagined:


Picasso depicts the aftermath of real monsters whom distorted humanity through real fear and actual destruction.

James, I did get a chance to view your extraordinary ink washes and I do see
Goyas' influence in your artwork. Your direct assault on the subject of fear with medieval and pre-industrial imagery communicates fear clearly.

Btw, the price of $1776 is an inside joke but normally I would ask more but The Republican is a copy of my favorite Orientalist's artist and the painting is very small.

Diana, Thank you for sharing your purchase of Lisa's painting! I enjoyed reviewing the painting again with Lisa's new light shed on her wonderful creations!
I also looked at a few of your manikin artworks. I believe in some cases, this subject could be associated with fear. What is your take on this belief?

Uther thanks for the music! Now that you understand the value of discussion and what this discussion is about, I think it is safe to assume your implication is MUSIC helps you get through your artistic anxieties!

I KNOW, I know, to assume makes an donky out of you and me but posting a vid without commentary leaves that ambiguous non-absolutism wheel just-a-turning!

Assuming form follows function, it could be argued that the pursuit of pure aesthetics is a response to fear.
What is the pursuit of beauty if not an attempt to avoid the naked truth?

This is an interesting thesis Joe! While there are many truths that do not invoke fear such as wind blowing a limb; it tapping the window, the noise scaring the crap out of a person; and the person discovering that it is just wind blowing a limb. (The truth removing fear) Things like being caught in a lie can be quite scary for a person especially a little child who may be punished for the thing they were lying about.

Your thesis has existential merit!

I address here the implications of expressing my fears through art................................................

"Marlene, I don't paint or draw while I am dealing with a frightful situation either." ......Drew, earlier.
OT...........frightful situations turn me straight to Art,expression.........in reply, as solace, to allay Fear itself.

Roger, earlier:"Causing me to explore alternate ways of expressing my artistic drive. "..With you there !
Go forth, yes, without fear.......You affirm me,we of the fear of time running out. Yours is 'the way', yes.

Marlene......so spot on: "Not all artists have fear of not selling, DavidB".........Thank you.

Dear Joe:........the naked truth can be fearsome, and my experience is that it enervates me to create, again,
it seems, to allay my fears.

Nothing to add. Thank you all for interesting,uplifting,(depressing,lol),responses. I have not in actuality
explained my fears, but find that fears I experience in life, do absolutely affect my art images, though
subtle to the viewer, and not always apparent or explained . Fear for the 'common man' , as said earlier, is the one
tenet identifiable in my social commentary, but, the personal,deep fears I experience, don't get explained,
but, maybe , understood..........once expressed artistically, I am relieved.....it's all so selfish, this pursuit.
for me, anyway.

Viva, like I said, there's only so much painting can do to allay a real fear....I find action directly related to the fear, makes the root cause to go away. Painting just treats the symptom.

Drew, I'm noticing you've shuffled your gallery around.
I fear two of my favorite pieces of yours are no longer there!
What's up with that, man?

If I were experiencing fear, then I would not be typing in this discussion thread. Like Marlene B, I would be occupied dealing with that fear.

To me, painting to channel fear would be avoiding other tasks that needed doing to improve one's life. If I were recalling past fears, then same thing -- I would be obsessing in an unhealthy way, and to paint about those past fears would be avoiding other tasks that needed doing to resolve those fears and move on.

"Drew, I'm noticing you've shuffled your gallery around.
I fear two of my favorite pieces of yours are no longer there!
What's up with that, man?"

Joe, I emptied my gallery to introduce my newer paintings and drawings. I will reintroduce the older work with newer art over time.

I like how bold the image landing page is, Drew.

Dave

^5, RobertK

Robert,

Fear and anxiety are the same, but with some distinctions. A fear is the bear in the woods approaching you. An anxiety is our inner workings.

Working through anxieties is very important. These are the ying and yang of stress and pressure. Actually during a working career, some stress and pressure is a must, but over doing it is foolish. Under doing having some stress and pressure would make me think someone was lazy. JMO But hey if someone has the money to be on a permanent vacation more power to them.

Running away from the bear is a must. LOL But he will catch a slow human being. smh not good.

Dave

Reminds me of a story...

Two friends are walking in the woods.
Friend 1: "I hope there aren't any bears around here."
Friend 2: "It's possible. That's why I wore my running shoes."
Friend 1: "I don't care how fast your shoes are, you're not going to be able to outrun a bear."
Friend 2: "I don't have to outrun the bear. I just have to outrun you."

Joe,

And that is what I have been doing since day one here..... ;P

Dave

That's a strange definition of "friend!"

I seldom if ever look at fear as a negative emotion. It is simply a motivational or "driving" emotion. Fear can sometimes be glorious or reinforcing. Fear allows the artist to extend beyond boundaries that could inhibit a greater work.

Uther,

It is a bear eat bear world we live in.....

Dave

Tony you and I are in agreement for the most part.

Here is a link to famous fear based paintings. It has a quick blurb on the hellish nature of their subject matter and inspirations.

https://www.widewalls.ch/dark-paintings/

A lot of the Spanish 1930s 1940s Surrealism is about the Spanish Civil War and Spanish Culture. It is the fears in that culture portrayed.

Dave

https://thewadsworth.org/exhibitions/monsters-myths/

Actually went to this presentation on Oct 24, member's morning. Free continental breakfast to members.

The image in the link is larger than you would expect from the thumbnail. In person it is a masterpiece with an incredible history. The image is of a wasteland after endless war.

Dave

Relating to Joe's BEAR joke.

Joe, to this day; In India, when hiking through jungles, the hikers take a small goat with them and it follows the hiking party. Tigers will go for the weakest in a heard. This is the literal meaning behind the term "escape goat."

As long as I do not become the scapegoat. That is a real social fear.

Dave

In reference to fear of artistic criticism, I do not think its the negative criticism that strikes fear into the artist. It is the fear the criticism is correct.

Drew, I checked out the link. Great works! I don't seem to get Fear from them. I see more horror or grotesque imagery which I don't relate to fear. To me fear is more of a psychological dread. Something which is unrealized and could be real or imaginary. I find it is the "what ifs" in life that strike fear in people. Social ambiguities such as "What will people think". To me those are the fears that tend to be more debilitating.

I too do not find those examples frightening Tony. As a child, I did find such imagery scary.
When examining old master artwork, it is important to take in account the temporal relevance of the meaning. The patronage of many of the masterpieces wanted to scare the hell out of people. It was in the patrons' best interests. Fear and ignorance was a commodity and those who could afford to commission master artist did so with the end goal in mind. That is to hold on to wealth and power through propaganda.

I agree Drew. At the time those were more than likely propaganda tools of the powers that be. Especially the commissioned works. It is difficult for me to relate to such imagery as eliciting "Fear". I find my greatest fears seem to be within my mind and so I find images of "fear" to be somewhat ambiguous. Fear is an abstraction.

As artists, putting fear into perspective with all the technological advances available to express creativity, grasping the magnitude of AI's importance has pigeonholed humanity into the greatest challenge creative humans face right now.
Dealing with A.I.

https://castbox.fm/vb/21739943

YouTube version

https://youtu.be/8nt3edWLgIg