Are You Afraid Of Being Different In Your Art?

Yes

No. I think for photography today and how accessible the field is, it's almost imperative that your style is different, but at the same time consistent.

I'm afraid not to be different.

Congratulations on being a teacher. Being able to teach something is precious. I'm not afraid about my art, because just as every person is unique, so art should be too.

Never been much of a follower. So...no, not afraid at all. As a matter of fact, I see it as a good thing

being afraid to be different is being afraid of the consequences and that is like being afraid of the future. (will it sell? What will people think? Will they like my art? Will they hate my art? Do I expose myself too much? Will they still like Me?)

and that's not just in art

I try to be different. In photography most everything has been photographed 1000s of times. I try to find something different about those same places, a different angle, different time of day.

I am not at all afraid to try new things and be different in my art. I love to stretch myself through experimentation and occasionally I am successful in achieving something different. However, more times than not my work is a variation or reflection of what came before it.

As I've mentioned before, someone who knew me before she hadn't any clue about my vulture sculptures, was surprised when she, by chance, came upon me at a street fair.

Commenting:

" I'm amazed how you found a project that fitted your Neurosis PERFECTLY.

You HAVE to be DIFFERENT

And you have to be in CONTROL

Even if it's just a 10 foot by 10 foot space"


So, I suppose my answer is a Definite "NO"

No,I am not a follower and also don't follow trends. I follow my own vision and have developed my own style

I think anyone who has seen my art will agree that I am not at all afraid of being different. I actually fear being the same as everyone else.

After years of being 'traditional' in my approach to photography, my recent interest in 'digital art' (and the software that's available for it nowadays) is enabling me to experiment more with creativity and subsequently giving me many weird and wonderful (and sometimes not so wonderful!) outputs. So, guess that makes me unafraid of being different, which is why my style is probably best described as 'all over the place'.

One look at some of what i create will answer your question Lol. Definitely not afraid to express what pops in to my mind.

I remember my first Art Class at High School, aged 11(nearly 12). My Art Teacher gave us all a blank piece of white paper and said, Draw what you see, my high school was an art deco building with art deco windows, i was sitting with my back to the window and the sun was shining through, the shapes of the window frames and my heads shadow was showing on my white paper, so that’s what i drew, i shaded in what i saw with different colours (Draw what you see, his words not mine), at the end of the exercise my fellow classmates laughed when i held my picture up, they where soon silenced when my picture was complimented by my art teacher who then proceeded to put my picture up on the wall.

From that moment i learned not to fear the outcome of my Art projects at school.

Nah, not afraid of different or imperfect.

No, I am not.

No, I'm 60 years old and have been interested in photography most of my life.
And now I have time to invest in my theory of Clouds evolving into so called UFO's , spacecraft and Stargates or even a cloud event that seems impossible.
In my short time at Fine art I've encountered
A no there there just random clouds.
And that inspires me more. To me I see an out of place cloud and I track it over a period of time, usually 2-3 before sunset. Not all the time though periodically clouds turn into what I call a cloud event. Less times they turn into what I call Alien events.
In my gallery I set out 6 photos of each such event and to tell the truth at first glance without much text they do look like random clouds. Though in my theory and opinion these photos are what I say they are. Some are single photos of the final phase.
This may not be a new theory, I believe though I have acquired a technique to track and identify such cloud events. This excites me even more to know maybe with my gallery and discussion people may be inspired to set or stroll along a view of sky at sunsets dreaming and focusing beyond modern denial, open to the fact maybe it's real and finding an adventure inside a random cloud.
What would inspire me more is random people taking random photos of clouds and finding a whole new adventure that peaks their imagination and interest in my theory.
Even better if these people would share such photos with me.
If you know of any such groups please let me know.
And different is the key to A unique artists.
Inside the clouds, adventure begins.

Thanks for a great discussion and inspiration in future cloud events.

>"Are You Afraid Of Being Different In Your Art?" - No.

>"If I put up an example of a project to share then almost instantly I have about two thirds of the class becoming clones." - That is a generalization on a short series.

Most inventions start from small changes to existing products or technology. Many companies and countries start by copying products from other countries. A great example is Japan. We buy Japanese TVs and cars in mass, but Japan started by copying foreign products.

If, after trying to copy something for relatively long time, somebody could not enhance the product - then you, maybe, could claim that he does not possess creativity. Even in such case the person may not have the motive to be creative on this specific product or at this specific time.

 

No.

I was aware of this tendency to be confident in my imagination from very early years.

In school, age 7 or so, I was forever creating freeform designs on paper — large patches of vibrant colors, outlined with heavy black lines.

Teachers tried to stop me from doing this. I paid no attention and continued to enjoy my processes.

As an adult, I began creating original design stained glass art.

Myriad shapes of vibrantly coloured glass bordered with various thicknesses of soldered foil or lead came.

To thine own self be true.  
 

If you'd like to view some of my original glass designs:
 
https://carmenhathaway.com/art-glass

No

No, I am not afraid to be different. With that said, I think it's important to study and learn from artists, whose work I find inspirational.
As far as your students go, you might think about providing a cubism workshop/class, where they will hopefully learn to see things through their own unique lens and application in an non-intimidating way.

Being afraid to be different in art, I've learned, is, IMO, listening to a little voice in my head that tries to talk me out of creating certain works for whatever reason.

I have learned to ignore it.

"Even though he admitted to experiencing fear at times, General George Patton said, 'I never take council of my fears'."(Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, M.D.,F.I.C.S.)

"Are You Afraid Of Being Different In Your Art?:

I'm not sure what you mean exactly.
One may have a specific formula that they are afraid to very from.

One may be accomplished in a specific media and be afraid of trying a new and or different media.

One may be afraid of expressing themselves in a fun and fanciful manner cuz they are afraid that their work may be perceived as kitschy or fanciful.

One may be afraid to create beautiful things with little or no social message cuz they are afraid that they may be judged as being without social sensitivity and or shallow in their character.

If everyone tried to be different then their efforts would result in conforming to a common ideal: that of being different.

I have never been one who likes to copy what others are doing, I wasn't even big on doing master studies in school where they wanted us to copy the works of master painters. Their art already exists, why do I need to make more of it? That being said, I also don't go out of my way to be wildly different. I simply paint what I like when I like, in whatever medium and style I feel like at the time. My work is in extension of me and my tastes and to me that's enough.

Drew, I think the original story explained it fairly well.

" If I put up an example of a project to share then almost instantly I have about two thirds of the class becoming clones"

So do you perceive 1/3 different while 2/3 conforming? Is this a pass fail test for creativity; a perceived creative litmus test per se?

Forgive my curiosity but as educator to educator, I am curious to hear your perspective on your analysis of such an extremely subjective matter as creativity.

First off Drew I use several criteria when grading, it is not simply one thing. Secondly I don't believe in grading the age I teach 5-12 year olds. I grade simply because it is required but I am a very easy grader.

Lisa I agree but I also think that every artist has conformity mixed with individualism in different levels. As an art teacher I try to encourage flexible thinking in hopes that the young artist learns to rely on their own ideas more than simply lock stepping along.

You would never know it looking at my work.
That being said - going to your original story/premise: did you indicate to the class that (perhaps) you want their OWN ideas and not to copy yours? (or something along that line). In general - people taking a class generally produce what they think the teacher expects.

Lisa Kaiser: "My art is a place where I don't want to be perfect but, I do want to be perceived as an artist." This is how I feel too.

Of course, I'm not afraid to be different. But ... you never know how much different you are for a straightforward reason. Nobody knows all art styles in depth, and nobody sees all pictures or images created by people. Therefore, the question, "Are You Afraid Of Being Different In Your Art?" is about your feelings and not about whether you are or could be different.

That said, I just tested three of my latest artworks; one was recently uploaded to FAA, and two still need to be uploaded. I put every image into Google Images Search, and nothing similar came out. I would say that some third party, i.e., Google Images Search, which knows much more than me, confirmed that those three images are different from many comparable images on the Internet.

No and never will be afraid of being different with my art or anything I represent ,we are all different in most aspects of our life’s and different cultures, upbringings, all of us possess the gift of freedom of expression of by which if you think of indifferences in a positive way it can be a tool of appreciation, insight and learning of by which I will never stop till I pass , that’s what makes life and art interesting, freedom of expression a chance to release and vent, to be afraid to be different is no confidence, without confidence you can’t grow , growth is life .
ART IS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, some appreciate your work others don’t , like everything in life. When my youngest daughter stepped up to the easel and we started painting, she was afraid and nervous, I said …. No reason to be , it’s a learning process of continuing growth and a way to express yourself , it’s you and your world , your canvas, I’ve tried to incorporate into both my daughters to try not to JUDGE YOUR ART OR NO ONE IN LIFE AND THATS TOUGH AS I TRY TO LIVE BY THAT . Expect if you judge then you will be judged. That can inhibit freedom of expression due to no confidence , your artwork is for relaxing, if you relax , you then have freedom , attack the canvas and go with it , it’s your world , your gift to paint however different it is . Don’t copy others , that’s following, lead your life and hold your head high , don’t be nervous to ever create your vision of art .

An artist should tire of how things are done. An artist should even tire how they do things and try to do new things they never did before...that is why I think consistency is overrated.

I don't worry, or even much think, about being different from others in my art. I sometimes am concerned about being too much similar to myself, but that similarity comes more from enjoying that vein of work, than from being afraid to try something new.

@Bruce, I agree that consistency is overrated. However, several times I have taken my work to galleries to show and have been either asked for a series of consistent works, or chastised for my portfolio being too all-over-the-place.

As a self taught artist, I totally rely on Google and other stuffs to learn new and current art forms. I do learn and implement that style or mix two or more styles in my own way.There is lot of difference between cloning and learning. I think learning is a healthy thing.

Yuri, I have to do the reverse checks on my images as well to ensure my mind's eye didnt copy someone's art.

"Drew, I hate to say it but you sound like an unappreciated frustrated artist. I am happy for you that you feel you have mastered so much and have lofty goals for your future"

If you hated to say it than you would not have said it. Since you said it, you most likely ment the opposite for both statements and enjoyed your action.

LOL! The frustrated artist is such a stereotypical cliche. Everyone has that artist inside themselves and creativity both is relaxing and entertaining without being a personal character identifier from my perspective. Yes, everyone is an artist of they so choose to be.

Candor is never appreciated until reality kicks one in the @$$. That's why the past is so clear. Living day to day exploring this thing known as existence by no means is frustrating. It's a gift not to be squandered by meaningless conformations of ones correctness in the eyes of others but to ponder ones explorations and to appreciate the day that is given.

Ronald, you haven't really answered your own question here: that is, "
Are You Afraid Of Being Different In Your Art?"

Being that you took the liberty of attempting to pigeonhole my character, the least I can do is attempt a simular analysis on your behalf but with sincerity rather than sarcasm.

You stated:
"I have been an art teacher for a very long time and am approaching the end of that phase of my life. I hold the core belief that all humans can be creative however in reality that is not what I have seen."

Retirement can be an adventure and a core belief will hold you back as core beliefs closes the mind. Beliefs are not facts therefore they are subject to being erroneous.

I speculate based on years of listening; you fear diviation from the established routine and the formula approach to art that gives you a signature style. You diminish the skill of those who demonstrate the ability to capture realism and beauty while uplifting what you refer as a core belief. You fear to deviate from your formula rather than strengthen areas of creativity that you have not developed. You fear your core belief is wrong.

Core beliefs, if not challenged closes the mind. I truly pray your retirement becomes an opportunity to grow, play, explore and most of all, not be anchored down by fear of what others think but focus on the art of thinking. It's okay to be wrong.

Enjoy!

Here is the thing Drew, you have your “Modern Art Philosophy “ theory which you toss out into the ring in nearly every conversation. First off I hope you have some inkling how vast the territory of “ modern art “ perhaps better to call contemporary art is. There is virtually no style in existence today that does not fall under this umbrella phrase. From photo realism to digital manipulation to AI to conceptualism, invisible paintings bananas taped to the wall and so on. To come up with a theory that you think would cover all of this territory is just not workable. You seem to have some level of dislike for the art world which is why I said you sound like a frustrated artist. You create within the framework of the art world, and therefore are part of the very thing you seem to dislike. I could understand if you narrowed it down a bit and went after a single artist or approach but you are casting a giant net with lots of holes so I doubt it will catch much.

Yes I am!

"Here is the thing Drew, you have your “Modern Art Philosophy “ theory which you toss out into the ring in nearly every conversation."

LOL! Sounds like "Modern Art Philosophy ", frustrates you Ronald!

It's not theoretical. It's an emerging Philosophy whereas the meaning of art has evolved into a tautology. The underlying reason is modernity and technology.

Yes, fine art academia embraces the tautology and it is promoted by the elitist fine art collectors and grantors of huge endowments to universities to perpetuate and escalate the valuation of their collections.

It's just a game of manipulation of the market by a few wealthy individuals.

To realize and openly acknowledge the tautology certainly would frustrate those who have dedicated their lives to the fine art establishment.

The wizards behind the curtains have been conflating philosophy with history to control markets, to experimentally social engineer opinions; and to fund schools of fine art to perpetuate "Modern Art Philosophy."; thus manifactoring wealth out of the ether and establishing the drivers and triggers of the modern hive mind.

Any time you want to talk about your core beliefs and those things that disturb and or contradict your beliefs, feel free to sit on my freudian couch cuz I too can pretend to be an expert in psychology of the creative mind.....LOL!

Drew I read your Modern Art Philosophy thing on your sight and although I thought some of it was interesting and even had some validity it was still far to vague and simply does not come close to covering but a small segment of modern art or as I said before contemporary art. By the way I find it rather amusing that you take an opinion of what is going on in the art world and then claim it as being fact. Based on what? Your opinion about what is going on, it is simply a theory which you are pushing out there for better or for worse. Now I do agree with some of what you are saying, certainly the hype of the market has pushed some artist and not others, ultimately how will they stand in an historic sense? I have no idea as that is pure speculation.

I am generally not a follower in real life. BUT somehow when I see other artist friends' successes, I learned that I must fight my subconscious inclination to take on some of their aesthetics. It took years before I even realized what I was doing! I was not feeling good about my work until I became aware of it. . I am finally exploring a path of my own. Win or lose, I feel authentically me.

"By the way I find it rather amusing that you take an opinion of what is going on in the art world and then claim it as being fact. Based on what? Your opinion about what is going on, it is simply a theory which you are pushing out there for better or for worse."

Well Ronald, you will just have to wait to find out if and when one of those lofty projects that are in the "conceptual artistic stage" comes to fruition to get an answer.

My writing on the matter is a living dynamic document and as much as entertainment as a scholarly abstract to be peered reviewed. I mean, if art is a tautology then what's the point? Where will I find such peers?

Imagine how lonely a thesis would be if it did not have an antithesis.

This is why my concentration is on the steAm pedagogical approach to teaching and learning.

To not incorporate creative tactile processes of learning in our educational system for our youth is a half brained system leaving untapped potential in said youth IMHO.

Well Drew as I said I can understand where you are coming from on some of it. My daughter is currently an art major in college and the amount of academics in drawing painting sculpting whatever is quite commendable. I do think there are artist who bypass this phase and perhaps take the easy route but I am certainly not seeing that where she is. I am a long way to tossing an overall blanket on modern/ contemporary art, it is a very wide scope.

Ronald, Modern Art Philosophy is not a criticism of all art being produced in the larger era of modernity. It is an observation of the diminishing social importance of the professional fine artists and the escalation of the valuations of established collections not necessarily by merit but by manipulations do to the tautology of the meaning of art. This tautology has many contributing factors. Mechanized image production being one. Now, art can be produce without human attribution via AI. Art's meaning being reduced to a tautology dilutes art's social significance. IMHO, if art did not have an entertaining facet then it wouldn't have social value cuz tautology discussions are notoriously known to be exercises in futility.

Oh look what I asked my robot painted! Oh that's pretty!

I'm not afraid of being different. I'm different. And people notice. That's fine. I'm afraid of being controversial. I have really odd images, I don't share. These are political, atheist, oddly sexual, or just dreamlike. I'm not afraid of people who know me seeing these images. I'm afraid of hurting my sales.

Nope, I welcome being different, especially now a days.

Mario! How are you?

I am doing great Ronald, thanks for asking. Enjoying life on the homestead, today we had another baby lamb born, Vanilla, she is cousins with Chocolate who was born two weeks ago. :-)

No

Drew that makes sense, I think that no mater how far the “mainstream”art world goes in strange directions including AI I feel people will always produce art. There was an old lady not far from where I once lived who was constantly creating her garden, she would walk the railroad tracks and pick up trash, well not trash to her, then she would arrange it in various ways in her “garden”. In nearly every extreme situation that humans have found themselves in people have created art. So perhaps the mainstream markets might have their issues but art will still be created.

Mario, awesome! When I was very little I lived on my grandparents farm and they had sheep, I loved them. Back in 2019 we stayed at a sheep farm in Ireland and we got to hold the lambs and feed them, give both Chocolate and Vanilla a hug for me!

Hi Mario, it's good to see you.

Jenny.

It's Great hearing from you

There is nothing wrong with fear. Creative activities require that we proceed anyway. I am unafraid mostly when creating. Sometimes it is good to chase or follow the fear with the confidence that we can deal with it. I think that on average we are taught to not be that creative. It's there in everyone but suppressed.