DO YOU EVER GET FRUSTRATED OVER YOUR ART

So I don't know, if this belongs in forums or blogs, however, since this is an artist community, I thought, it would be a great place to ask.

DO YOU EVER GET FRUSTRATED OVER YOUR ART, doubt it all and wonder if it is the right thing to do?

I mean I love my girls and bunnies and boys, but sometimes I feel they are too cute and nothing but that. I wonder then, if I shouldn't be painting something completely different, something more adult, something with more content... I also love working digitally, but I also paint with oils and draw/sketch quiet a bit. I am also thinking, that I should probably decide on one medium rather then going back and forth... Also my work was featured in a magazine and they talk about the big heads and the stare and on and on... But does that mean now, that this is my style and I have to stick with it...?

So my question really is not, what you think about my work and what I should do, it's more that I would like to know, if it is normal to question your work so much, get frustrated over it and doubt your style, if you have one..... I need some artists' input here....

So your thoughts on the subject are very much appreciated.

Posted by

Litte Sonrisa

"SHARE YOUR STORIES"

12 cups of tea:

I also had same doubt like this... I think I can share and discuss with you but currently I am out of town! I will probably get to write this topic tomorrow.

Shwe Thiri Khit on 3 September 2012 at 22:07

Hello Sonrisa,

Thank you so much for your thoughts! Of course you can ask anything here. Your question is very interesting so I gave it some serious thought before replying; hence please accept my apologies for the delay.

I personally believe in creating art regardless of reasons or concepts behind the artwork. I also believe that when one is creating art, some element of the artist in embedded one way or another in the artwork. Then the artwork will have meaning in itself I guess.

Occasionally, I also feel similarly as you are feeling now- wishing for change and new directions. For me personally, even if I change in some way, I will still be painting and creating little girls. Because I really love creating them. If life is a story or a play, since in my life or my story, I happened to be the protagonist, and the protagonist happens to be a woman (me), I will still draw the paintings of girls and young women.

However in case you are really unhappy with what you are doing now, I will encourage you not to hesitate to look for alternatives. I have heard of a saying that the final goal of art is honesty or honesty in expression. I also strongly believe that we must be courageous to create what we want and express what we wish to express. Just be yourself, stick with what you really love. Creating art really is an act of freedom and it’s FUN. So if one is not happy with one’s art, there’s little point in doing it, I guess...

Shwe Thiri Khit on 3 September 2012 at 22:07

You also mentioned about your use of medium and materials. I consider art materials as just the medium between the artist and the artwork. So the choice of medium does have some impact on the artwork. So for me, I use software applications, oil paints, pencils, watercolours, crafts or a mixtures of it (mixed media) depending on what I wish to create. So if I feel like I can create that particular artwork with pencils, I will use pencils. Or if I want to create a nice digital art, I will use software applications etc. I think as artists, we are free to choose whichever medium we wish to use to express our creativity. I think putting a limit to the choice of medium is setting up unnecessary boundaries to our art creations.

Shwe Thiri Khit on 3 September 2012 at 22:07

I totally agree with Little Sonrisa and Shwe. It’s really important to reflect on kind of artworks artist are doing. Like Shwe said, the most joy will come from doing what we like to do.

I think some of the artists, especially best sellers, are too stuck. I wonder if they cannot create new styles or they are afraid of not selling well if they change styles. I think honesty is difficult to define. So no comment on honesty.

What I see these days is some artists’ works are very monotonous. There’s so much monotony that it’s even not worth visiting their artshows anymore as I can see nothing new. Not sure if there’s any new concepts under such artworks either...

I think only oneself can know if one still wishes to be innovative, or just enjoying the current themes and styles or one is stuck because of pressure from fans and buyers.

PoutC on 3 September 2012 at 22:07

I think it will be best if there is a balance between freedom, honesty and the quest for success. :)

Mellisa on 3 September 2012 at 22:08

Ditto on all te above.

I also get frustrated with my art and I often admire other artists and think that my works are never as good or as interesting or.....whatever.

As Shwe says, it is all about the creation of art that makes us tick and that should be enjoyable and then....there will be people that like your art and others that might not be huge fans, but that's their problem (hehe)

Also every artist grows, which means they will try their hands on new or different materials, you can see that with the old masters as well, they changed with the times and the fashions etc. And they have the freedom to decide they will go back to their old faithfull favorite materials. I actually really like your style, but if I were to try that kind of style, it would turn out so different and I probably would not be happy, because I liked the original so much.

That is a way to grow though: try and "copy" some styles you see and like (for practising reasons of course) and see if they will give you a stepping stone to another level you might feel good about.
So don't worry too much, just grab some paint and PLAY !!!!

Joyce van der Lely on 3 September 2012 at 22:10

You mentioned about your artwork featured in the magazine. Since many people and fans know you and your art as featured in the magazine, I can feel your reluctance to change. If you are still eager to change, my humble suggestion is that instead of making radical changes you can do incremental changes such as the theme and colour palette. Or you can start doing minor changes to your characters such as changing their facial and body expressions etc. I believe this way can increase your creativity! I really hope our suggestions have been helpful. :-D
xoxo

Shwe Thiri Khit on 3 September 2012 at 22:10

You guys are so sweet and so much help. I do feel better already listening to all of you. I think Pout C said it perfectly well. Well known artists always do the same thing, and yes, I agree... I go to a lot of art openings in the city and I have my favorite galleries and a trillion favorite artists of all styles, but a new show of a well known artists is not really a new show. It is always the same. So maybe that made me feel, like that's what I had to do.

As you all said it so perfectly it is about the play and it is about being honest to yourself. So I will try to shut up that inner critic, go to my favorite coffee shop and keep sketching whatever comes to mind. Lately it seems to be cute bondage birds, that are appearing on my pages. I don't know, where they are coming from, but I will stop immediately to dissect and question them and just run with it and keep the juces flowing. Most likely one of my girls will be riding or whipping or petting them sooner or later and then it'll all tie in again. : )

And as for changing mediums, I guess you are right Shwe, it is just the medium between the artist and the art, hence called the medium. I'll keep switching as longs as I please, it keeps me entertained until I have a "favorite" toy or I'll keep adding new toys... The art store is full of surprises and things I want to get my hands on...

Thanks so much Shwe, Joyce, Mellissa and Pout C that you took the time to comment. I do feel much better and 100% inspired to continue, wherever the road may turn.

Much Love,

Little Sonrisa, Sonja

Little Sonrisa on 3 September 2012 at 22:11

This is the great topic! Thanks so much everyone for sharing all of your thoughts.

Pinkie Snow on 3 September 2012 at 22:11

Ugh I know exactly how you feel. I love using imagery like cute animals, bows, hearts, stars and colors like pink or anything sparkly. Sometimes I have this breakdown and feel like maybe I should go darker, work more like expressionists or I see such impressing work of other artists and start feeling like I don't matter anymore. But then I start working on a drawing or painting again and realise that my art makes me happy, working on my art makes me happy, and that's all I think really matters. As long as I remind myself of that over and over again, and stay close to myself and do the best I can, I'm sure someday I might even create my own completely unique style that'll in turn make other artists doubt their own style too when they see mine lol.

Bottom line is, I get frustrated and doubt my own work quite a lot of times too but try to not let it get me down too much and get over it quickly. You're not alone!

Sarah on 3 September 2012 at 22:12

Thank you Sarah. That is sweet. I do feel better already, hearing from other artists, that they too are going through the motions. Knowing that, I can except it and just move on when those feelings arise.

Little Sonrisa on 3 September 2012 at 22:12

Sonrisa's works are great anyway!

Jassica on 3 September 2012 at 22:13

Shwe is teaching

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