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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Art-What You See Is Not Always What You Get

So often Artists are asked to paint pictures when what someone really wants is a photo. When the picture is painted the person may be disappointed if the Artist painted their version or inspiration for the picture. Many people confuse the term fine artist with illustrator. It is important to know the difference. Whereas, the commercial artist will meet the business request of a buyer a fine artist has a different perspective. The fine artist usually searches deep for some spiritual or meridia diet pill / philosophical meaning. The commercial artist renders what is needed to put food on the table. Im not against this I have done both.

It was a real struggle. When a customer wanted me to create something with colors I knew would not work artistically, it became painful to joint life insurance it anyway or risk losing my job. Many Land of the Lost artists can face the same challenge. If commissioned to do a painting the client wants an exact rendering of the person. The artist, as professional, must consider more than just the visual likeness.
The portrait is often loaded with historical and cultural tidbits. It will also reflect many of the interests of the artist.

For example, when art students study a portrait they are observing the flat rate conference calls in the painting, interpreting that information and evaluating information. So simple things like the positioning of the person or cloths that are worn are all critical points that go far beyond just painting the likeness of the person.

Even within the world of fine art there are many areas of discipline. For example, a painter is different from a printmaker, photographer, or sculptor. Yet there are many artists that are trained, or have trained themselves, in many of the disciplines

Once, when I first met my wife, she asked me to draw her a cartoon. I instant car insurance her that I would draw the cartoon but that I was not a cartoonist. She didn't understand. I explained the difference and we have been married ever since. (Smile)

It is essential that the general public is educated about fine art. It goes beyond the price, beyond the potential of value and includes the passion and professionalism of the artist.

Ray Horner is an Artist and Art Instructor.