This morning, Artists Sunday reminds me of the gift that art making has brought into my life.
My instinct is always the same: find the artful moment when truth reveals itself between the folds of everyday activity.
Art requires openness to everything, extremely selective focus on a specific intersection of forces, AND readiness to shift focus instantly when the universe winks. Simultaneously. It is nearly impossible.
Every day of our lives is a circus of sensory distractions. It's true. Yet, there are reasons for everything in Nature and deep satisfaction in learning the hows and whys. A prime benefit is the constant reminder of our infinitesimal role in the grand scheme, which is as dynamic a creative environment as any of us could imagine. Only art permits us to share what we see in our unique way.
Some forces to consider as opportunities in starting your next artwork:
Forces of Nature
Weather is a familiar source of drama in which forces are in constant flux. Pressure systems of heat, cold, and moisture seek but never achieve perfect balance. Wind, fog, clouds are visual manifestations of active interactions of one system upon another. Every action and reaction is a potential moment of art that everyone will intuitively recognize.
Rare Fog Over Padua Highlands at Sunset (2021) - by Mark Roger Bailey
Water falls, collects, freezes, flows, evaporates. We see water as clouds, mist, rain, hail, snow, rivers, lakes, and oceans. I like how fog gives us a chance to see the world with fresh senses.
Light is a product of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to us between infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. It moves at 186,000 miles per second. It can be natural or artificial. As a source of illumination, it can reveal color, motion, activity, texture, warmth, and distance. It can also suggest beauty and story.
From the perpetual motion of solar systems down to the butterfly's heartbeat, every atom in our universe is moving, responding to unseen forces like electrical charges, magnetic attraction (and repulsion), gravity and inertia.
Human Nature
When you add human nature to Mother Nature's forces, finding truth gets exponentially more complicated. It also becomes infinitely more promising.
Here again, there is magic in changing emotional states, from calm reflection to acute interest, sadness to joy, or indifference to attraction, and fear to courage. Like weather systems, human emotions feature compelling transitions that display glimpses of universally recognizable moments of significance.
For years, I tried to minimize the variables inherent in creative challenges. Our brains are capable of fantastic performance, yet every change we make to any project goal changes everything about it. Fortunately, once my mind processed that reality, I trusted more and immediately began to accomplish more. I pivoted to practicing my craft 'in the wild' so that I had to evaluate priorities on the fly and adapt. I stopped intellectualizing and started to rely more on instinct and experience to focus my tools on my core mission: discover and share.
TIP: Swing Your Compass
Just like on a boat or an airplane, sailors and pilots check their compass for accuracy and note deviations resulting from inadvertent damage, renovations, or the addition of new equipment that can influence magnetic readings. Occasionally, we artists should evaluate how our tools serve us as our personal and professional experiences suggest necessary course adjustments or tool replacement.
Looking back, I see my pattern of curiosity, discovery, insight and aspiration to share. Art, photography, novels, screenplays and film have been my tools. The tools change, yet the motivation at the center of life for me is remarkably constant. When people defer or deny the gift of art making, I encourage them to find their center, set their course, and hold fast to what matters. You are the master of your artistic fate.
Focus on what moves you, on what matters, and don't let the increasingly challenging cultural winds of human nature blow you off course. If you can't change the wind, adjust your sails. Our universe will continue its ceaseless pursuit of balance, you will be happier, and your work will consistently improve.
Happy Artist's Day
— Mark
Today is Artists Sunday, which encourages shoppers to give artwork as gifts this holiday season. Art connects us to each other and creates memories that nourish lifelong relationships. Please visit MarkRogerBaileyPhotography.com to see some of my art photography.