On Seeing *

I feel as though I haven't seen an object until I actually start painting it. (Janet Fish)


I could paint these mountains the way they look, but it isn't how I see them. (Justin Beckett)

These quotes stood out for me because they both point to what art is about - painting what you as an artist can interpret using your senses, emotions and understanding. To truly see in an artistic manner is to see yourself. A collector can also see themselves in a painting because he or she understands that they are not just looking at an object, but a sensory experience. It is a shared experience but also different from the artist's. Once this realisation is made a true work of art will come alive for both the artist and the collector. It is not an easy thing for someone to go beyond the superficial. This is not TV. It takes commitment and trust when going deeper into art for artist and collector alike. When I refer to collectors I do not mean investors. That is altogether different. A collector is looking for a spark - a connection and when found a unique shared experience takes place with the artist. 

(*repost)

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