In grade one I was in awe of the little girl who sat at the desk next to mine.
She drew beautiful horses.
Real horses! Not just the stick figure variety.
I couldn't wait to tell my mom when she fetched me from school. "There is a REAL artist in my class!"
From as far back as I can remember, I have perceived artists to be the most amazing, luckiest, magical people.
"With the word creative we stand under a mystery. And from time to time that mystery, as if it were the sun, sends down upon one head or another, a sudden shaft of light.... "
-- Pamela Travers, Creators on Creativity
"I gather shapes from the world around me, from travel, and from my journeys through books. I also look inside myself for forms that arise from my experience as a dancer, seeking to rephrase that understanding of the body through a new medium of expression, the body of clay."
-- Ashwini Bhat
"Life is so ridiculously gorgeous,
strange, heartbreaking, horrific, etc.,
that we are compelled to describe it
to ourselves, but we can't!
We cannot do it!
And so we make art."
-- Miranda July
After reading through this post, seeing the pictures and reading what the artists have to say, I am overwhelmed by emotion. How well the artists describe the need to create. I am going to write these quotes on paper and carry it with me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I will never ever be apologetic for drawing big. One day I hope to get a chance to draw as BIG as these wonderful and amazing artists do.
Priya, I loved reading your comment. Your drawings are so expressive! The energy you express in your art will transfer into BIGGER drawings in a wonderfully unique way. I can see them clearly in my mind's eye.
ReplyDeletethank you Robyn :)
DeleteWow, I love the scale of these pieces . . . I think it takes confidence to work big but the results are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if it's just as difficult for those artists who work big to downscale and create smaller pieces.
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip I've just taken...I've clicked through pretty much all of these links and with the exception of Kiefer all were new to me. Thank you so much for introducing me especially to the work of Ahwani Bhat... gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt was particularly thrilling.... an AHA! moment ... to recognize in the clay pieces, similar flowing movements to those of a dancer..... which makes perfect sense, since Ashwini is a dancer as well as a ceramic artist.
DeleteWOW!! As others have mentioned, there's an energy in your post that has blown me away. My own attempts at drawing big have been mind blowing. It reminds me of how much we LOVE doing this and how much we miss it when things fall off kilter. Thanks for showcasing some new and fascinating artists that I've bookmarked already. Ax
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful photos aren't they?! They all inspire me.
DeleteBeing able to draw well is the gift I have always envied most. I am totally unable to do it. I write, I play various musical instruments, I used to sing when I was younger - but drawing is a complete mystery to me. Someone once told me that drawing is ninety eight percent looking and two percent putting pencil to paper. I think that is why I fail miserably. My patience level is very low.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are inspiring. But then that is always so with your blog.
Thanks so much Weaver. Have you thought of just painting to enjoy the movement and the colours without worrying about whether it looks like something?
DeleteThank you, thank you Robyn. The world is filled with such beautifully imaginative artists. What would we be without them?
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to inspire..... so many talented artists to make one's heart race.
DeleteA REAL artist; that's you Robyn, to the core. I am warmed by your grade one memory.
ReplyDeleteAlthough big is certainly awe inspiring, I am currently working on the paper tags that hang from tea bags. I find those small worlds to be very engaging.
Oh I know small art is exquisite too. Actually I didn't realize until you mentioned it that I had chosen big art. I think I was looking for images that made me feel the artist immersed in art. These were some of the best images I found.
Deleteanother long list of fabulous things to follow up
ReplyDeletebut first
i must go and work
because
as you so clearly put it here
it's something that MUST be done.
It is so easy to get carried away with looking rather than doing!
Deleteanother amazing collection. you must stay up all night finding these treasures. they span such vast artistic territory that I find myself truly awed and amazed at the power of the human imagination and spirit.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love how the works are sandwiched so deliciously between your passionate observation as a child and Miranda July's wonderful quote.
As always I leave inspired and smiling.
It's an added joy when people leave here feeling inspired. (I find the best images when I can't sleep :-)
DeleteR- are we not a lucky tribe - to be drawn to create and also to have the time and means to do so. In looking at all the artists you have researched and offered I can only think - how lucky are we to be able to do this stuff. I feel exactly that way after even grabbing a few hours this afternoon to create a small shrine - at the end I beached more gently because I had the time to create. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteWe are indeed lucky Barry! Creating art, especially when it turns out the way we want it to, makes everything seem right with the world.
DeleteRobyn, This is a wonderful post. Many links to catch up on, thank you! I do feel so blessed to be an artist! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Annie, I am constantly aware of just how lucky we are to be able to see into the lives of other artists too.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing! You made me think of a girl i went ot school with.....maybe 6th grade....she had long, LONG hair....i think she could sit on it...and she was quiet and shy...kinda like me...and she could draw with charcoal the most amazing things....Her name is on the tip of my tongue....Wish i cold remember it.....I think i can honestly say thats where my interest in art began....Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteDeb, throughout my school days I came across so many fellow pupils who had exceptional talent. In my eyes they were right up there with the pop stars.
DeleteLove love love this post.
ReplyDeleteEsp. The last quote.
Thanda.
:-) So glad you do! Thanda :-)
DeleteGreat inspiration! Guess it`s time to get back into the studio...
ReplyDeleteYup.... you have lots of work to do! :-)
DeleteI was struck with the delight and pure joy shown on each artist and that in itself was such a delight and in turn was so delightful to me.
ReplyDeleteExactly! So delighted you are delighted.
DeleteA rich collection... and I love the quote by Miranda July.
ReplyDelete.... and that's why we make art. What could be simpler than that?!
DeleteGosh what a wonderfully brave and bold post this is Robyn thank you! Back in the early 90's I asked the fabulous Czech artist Dana Zamecnikova where she found her inspiration & she replied- "Where else can we put all the fears, joys, sadness, frustrations & wonders but in the art?"
ReplyDeleteSo true..... If we can't put it into words we make art... or cook.... or garden.
DeleteI'm still not through this log. There is so much to see, every time I come back :-)
ReplyDeleteI got carried away Wim. Just one more artist .... just one more artist! And the post got longer.
DeleteA wonderful post full of amazing links...thank you. All are quite inspiring.
ReplyDeletePeople creating art inspire me no end!
DeleteAs always, an amazing post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer. I was inspired creating the post.
Deletewhat an inspiring post! torn right now between running to the studio to make and looking up each of these wonderful artists.
ReplyDeleteLol..... run to the studio and when you can't sleep follow the links.
DeletePerfect quote from Miranda July.
ReplyDeleteI'd get a lot more work done if you'd quit drawing me into the Wonderful World of Web images!
Lol ....
ReplyDeleteLove to see action pics, any chance of some of you in action??
ReplyDeleteI avoid the camera like the plague :-)
Deletelovely post Robyn, nice to see artists in action.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim. These photos are particularly beautiful aren't they?!
DeleteLove your posts... they are inspiring and soothing for the soul.. thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Robyn.
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn! Just stopped by quickly for a visual feast. Thanks, I'm sated now. ;)
ReplyDelete