How To Speak Intelligently About Art When You Know Nothing

Written by Guest Author: Tien Frogget

"Catching the Breeze" © Steve Henderson

Sometimes I’ll be discussing art or photography with someone and they will laugh nervously and say something like, “oh, I don’t know much about art,” as if there is some vast cloud of art knowledge that one must be tapped into in order to appreciate it.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of viewers can be intimidated by art because of those few people who have a lot of art knowledge and like to show it off. They talk about art like a sommelier would talk about wine, describing the process by which it was created and the details and nuances of each piece. In the presence of so much knowledge, it can sometimes be difficult to speak up when the only thing you know is whether you like the piece or not. You might not want to say much because you think people will laugh at your own lack of knowledge.

"Fire" © Wendy Froshay

The funny thing about this is, art is exactly like wine, in that you honestly don’t need to know much about it to enjoy it – when you find something that fits your tastes, you know. You appreciate it because you like it, and that is all that matters.

Think about one of your favorite pieces of art. (Better yet, if you can look at it right now, go ahead and let yourself get lost in it.) What is it about this particular piece of art that draws you in? What compels you to study it, to absorb it, to question the meaning behind it? What is it about this work that you like so much?

"Tommy" © Richard Harpum

The odds are, it’s more than just a pretty picture. It’s not just the lines and shapes and colors – it’s the way they are arranged on the canvas in such a fashion that they cause a reaction in you. In fact, this piece of art makes you feel something. Sometimes as viewers, we are aware of what something makes us feel, especially if it is a strong feeling – love, passion, excitement, lust; pain sadness, anger, torment. But we are not always so aware of the subtler stirrings that take place just under the surface – peace, desire, concern, interest, wistfulness, mystery. It is often those quieter feelings that settle in and make us lose ourselves in a work of art, and the more we look, the more we feel.

"Frequency of a Hug" © Emelina Figueroa

Truly, many great works of art were created when the artist was feeling something very deeply, and was able to channel those emotions into their work. Take a look at some of the pieces in this post by OC Designer Source artists. What do you feel when you look at each of them? Which ones tug gently at your heartstrings – and which ones grab them and don’t let go?

"No Limits" © Tien Frogget

Next time you are at an event or you are somewhere where you are looking at art, and you are feeling uncertain of your own knowledge, remember that art is all about emotion – and that’s all you need to know. If someone asks you what you think, just describe to them the way the piece makes you feel; what it evokes from you. That is the most important art knowledge you can ever have.

How to Beat Creation Frustration

Edvard Munch, "The Scream"

Artists are Fearful Lot
We artists seem to have loads of fear issues. I want to address just one of those fears - the fear of creating something ugly. By ugly I mean, ugly in the eyes of the creating artist.

Artists are extremely fearful of what I call, "Making Ugly". 

What is Making Ugly?
Making Ugly is a situation that happens to you unexpectedly. You are going along, happily making art and growing a little bit better every so often, and then.....

BLAM! you create something ugly! And it's not just ugly, it's bad. So bad that it looks as if it were something you created before you began your journey into art studies (you know, that embarrassing pre-beginner stage).

You throw it away. You create something else. It turns out ugly too! This happens again...
             .... and again,
                           .... and again!

Frustration!
You begin hiding your work. You buy self help books, you seek out miracle classes, videos and cures. You think, "Perhaps if I try a different technique"? But it's no use, no matter what you do, you can only make ugly.

You lose your confidence. You begin to think you've lost your touch - you realize that are not a good artist - in fact, you're not an artist at all - you feel you should walk away, give it up - find another love.

STOP!
Or rather, don't stop. Don't walk away, don't give it up, and don't sell yourself short. Keep going. Keep making ugly. Push your way through.

Why? Because this is a sign that you are heading for a Major Breakthrough (and I mean MAJOR!)

"New Foal" ©Froshay

It may take a few days. It may take weeks. It may even take months (especially if you dabble). But keep on creating, because just as suddenly as you 'lost' it, you'll make a breakthrough - and when you do, you'll be miles ahead of where you'd have been if you'd just kept steadily plodding along without that deep pit of despair in the path. Yeah, "Making Ugly" is the pits.

Transformation
Time and again I've watched my students (and myself) go through this process. I talk about it in classes, but students forget, until they experience it the first time. Those that remember, those that push through are the successful artists. And everyone else? Well, they've moved on to other pursuits.

One of my beginner students framed it well in his email about the 'Making Ugly' process. He said:

"Brown Bear" ©Froshay

"I thought I'd add to your collection of emails like this.

Since taking your class back in March, I've just had my first experience of "making ugly" and, of course, the eventual "ah ha" moment. That's just uncanny! It snuck up on me, but once I was aware of it, I instantly thought of your line-graph visual aid.

And you didn't even mention the best part, the fact that once you snap out of it, all that "ugly" ceases to be ugly and becomes good reference for what does and doesn't work.

I can't thank you enough!"   ~ Greg Sloan

Just Keep Going
By the way, I've found that this same concept works in life. As long as I just keep going - I always make a breakthrough - ALWAYS.