Does She Talk?

Alright technical skills aside I want to address something that at least to me is important in every piece of art I work on whether it is fine art, or design work.  Does it speak to me?  Sometimes the answer is actually no.  I've certainly done what I considered good painting and what not and then looked at it after the fact and just felt flat.  No response.  No stirred emotion, Nada.  These usually get stuck in a folder, or sent off to the island of misfit art, etc.  Never shared and often forgotten.  I just feel like if it doesn't speak to me before during and after producing it then it isn't art.  If it doesn't speak to you then it has almost no chance of speaking to anyone else.  Even if they think it's good they won't think it is inspired and that's the point.  You have to let yourself be inspired to produce work that you feel strongly about.  Anyone can learn to draw or paint a picture but it's those inspired cats that really flirt with disaster and achieve greatness in their work.  Academic drawing and painting skill is great but it isn't always of primary importance.  Getting the message in there in some clever way that shouts it out to your audience, that is never secondary.  Vibrance, Dynamism, Message, Technique,  they are all important and need to be addressed in every piece of important art you put out.  If you produce inspired work you really believe in you will be that much more confident in selling yourself and standing behind your body of public work as an artist.  Experiment, take chances, overcome challenges, in every piece and you will come out of each a stronger and better artist.  Comfort zones and niches while sometimes necessary from an economic POV, are easy places that don't push your skill or repertoire at all.  There is nothing wrong with consistency or making money, but don't be afraid to try new styles, subjects, improvise, or to blaze new trails within your artistic realm.  Don't be afraid to to mess up something you love, or be afraid to fail because you can't.  Keep trying, don't accept failure, and the concept of failure is banished.  Don't work at art, have fun with it.  When you begin to have fun and take chances in your work.  When you actually 'get fearless' with it you have reached new heights as an artist.  Others will notice the attitude shift in your work as well.  Your art is the chronicle of a journey and the way that story is told can hold others rapt or leave them passing by disinterested.  Tell your stories well, and remember shortcuts are often the long way around.  Best Wishes.

IIId