“That’s when a piece for me gets good – when I totally let go and just wreck it,” says oil painter Cayla Tinney. “Just do… whatever I want. Yeah, that’s the only time that my piece [reaches] the next level.”
Artists have many ways of approaching the creation and selling of their artwork. As you develop as an artist, you will develop your own unique style and process.
Experimentation and variety are vital for artists to grow and develop, but focusing on a specific medium can also be important.
“I think experimentation is super important…but you at least need to have something where it’s like a small, cohesive body to be able to show,” says printmaker Helen Gotlib. “A lot of the shows want you to apply in categories.”
Motivation and spirit are important for the creation of art, as well as harnessing your creativity.
“You’ll… find more happiness if you follow that creative spirit and explore that, and because it’s who you are…it’s very meditative,” says watercolor painter and art teacher Patricia Tinney. “To be truly creative is not just resting on what you already know how to do, but pushing that to its limit… and seeing where it takes you.”
Many emerging artists struggle to involve themselves in art programs because of issues like application fees and a general lack of experience. However, opportunities are everywhere.
Local art fairs and markets like the Ann Arbor Youth Art Fair and the Sunday Artisan Market are options that have youth programs. There are many other possibilities, such as the Argus Artisan Market, which, although they do not offer youth programs, are still accessible to young artists.
“Art fairs around the country are starting these emerging artists programs where…you set up inside of a shared booth with other artists,” says Gotlib. “Additionally, some of them will have you attend the show and shadow other artists.”
The community and friends that you can connect with through art can be life changing. Whether from art classes, shows, or even on the street, there are artists everywhere.
Patricia Tinney recalls her first experience in college art classes. “[It was a] pretty unbelievable feeling. It was the sense of finally finding [the] people that could understand me… every single one of these people… I wanted to get to know and understand.”
Even if you’re established and confident in your art and process, it is always useful to befriend artists, not only to forge connections but to support you and your art.
Another reason for this is the “very practical, self-serving fact that beginning to do art shows, unfortunately, is capital intensive,” says mixed media artist Dylan Strzynski. “People who have done art shows for a long time can help you… They have extra tents and displays and all these things that can add up.”
If you’re interested in learning more about these local artists or seeing their work for inspiration or information, their websites are linked here:
