A Sore Subject

A drawing student of mine recounted a conversation she had with an elderly artist from here in Tulare County. She told him she was taking oil painting lessons from someone in the area, and the old artist said, “That’s not creative – that’s just copying”.

Ow. That struck a nerve with me. What is or is not “CREATIVE”?

To be clear, it was not the words of my student that caused me to say, “Ow”. It is the subject matter that causes me insecurity and doubt. My drawing student is a lovely person; by reporting this interchange, she opened up an opportunity to discuss it and examine why it is a difficult topic.

I draw from photos, almost 100% my own, and way more often than I like, I have to combine photos to CREATE the scene I’m looking for.

I also teach people to draw, by COPYING photos.

How else can they learn to see?

How can you be CREATIVE with graphite if you don’t know how to see proportions, understand values, drive a pencil in a manner that it is an extension of your hand?

How can you be CREATIVE with oil paint if you don’t know how to see proportions, understand values, mix colors, or drive a paintbrush in a manner that is an extension of your hand?

How is it not CREATIVE to take a color photo (or several) and make a picture look beautiful and interesting in black and white and shades of gray?

Sorry, Elderly Artist. I think you are nice and usually a friendly man, you mean well, and you paint prolifically. Your work may be CREATIVE, but personally speaking (which is the only way I can speak),  I think your work is just weird.

So there.

Working from a photo isn’t creative? Working on a canvas of different proportions than the photo isn’t creative? Figuring out the arrangement, filling in the gaps, figuring out a new background–not creative? And turning this ugly beginning into something attractive isn’t creative?? It might not even work out to be worth the effort. . . an artistic adventure. . .

P.S. This topic is reminiscent of the ongoing conflict between studio artists and those who paint plein air. I imagine there is a similar situation between those who read music and those who play by ear. IT IS ALL VALID, PEOPLE, ALL OF IT!

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8 Comments

  1. Agreed, Jana. All valid — and all takes talent. Rock on! (And Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂 )

    • And Happy Thanksgiving to you, Cheryl!

  2. PS – I meant the “artist” who condemned Jana’s student should have kept his mouth shut!

    • I wonder if Elderly Artist was criticizing my student or if he was criticizing my student’s teacher? Doesn’t matter, but inquiring minds need to know.

  3. I guess Whistler’s Mother and the Mona Lisa aren’t very creative by his standards, either?!!! Oh well, my dad taught me it was better to keep our mouths shut, than remove all doubt about out stupidity by opening them!!

    • Welcome, Jean Ranee Johnson (Do we know each other?)! Thank you for your support in my sore opinion. . . your dad taught you well.

  4. It is wonderful that you posted this, Jana. Well stated, defining what the core of artistic endeavor is. And your final statement is such a universal truth of life. It is all valid. All of it! Hooray for you!

    • Thank you, Louise! Your agreement and approval mean a TON to me.

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