Comments on: What is artistic style?

By: How to Decide if a Call for Entry is Worth Sweating Over — Art Biz Blog

How to Decide if a Call for Entry is Worth Sweating Over — Art Biz Blog — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:57:20 +0000

[...] and buyers will most likely remember your name and associate it with a medium, subject and/or style. The work you create in response to a Call should be reasonably within those parameters so it will [...]

By: The Right Audience – Where are they? — Art Biz Blog

The Right Audience – Where are they? — Art Biz Blog — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:13:06 +0000

[...] John: finding my target customers? my work sells I just feel I’m not reaching the right people for my style? [...]

By: The Process of Producing a Newsletter — Art Biz Blog

The Process of Producing a Newsletter — Art Biz Blog — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:02:49 +0000

[...] for typos and anything that is egregious. Sometimes I reject her ideas because they’re not my style, but mostly I’m pleased with the input she gives [...]

By: IamANT

IamANT — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:24:50 +0000

Something I wrestle with is how to define or name my style. People always ask me what style I paint in and the only answer I can come up with is “a combo of illustration/comic book line work on top of cubist/Cezanne/expressionistic acrylic work on tile board “. Not exactly the shortest/best description, imo.

Anyone have suggestions on a shorter/better description for my style? lol

By: Brenda

Brenda — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:35:11 +0000

I was recently told (by a juror who works at a recognized gallery in my state) that my two best pieces to date “seem stiff. Perhaps I should loosen up the brush stroke, and leave more to the imagination.” Hmmmmm. Interesting.

My attention to detail, and my desire to actually make my paintings “LOOK” like the subject I’m painting, is the defining factor of MY style. The detail in my work has been the one thing most people comment positively about, especially those who’ve purchased my work.
And I believe the style of my work, is becoming recognizable as my own.

Of course, there is always room for an artist to grow and improve. But, I find it interesting that someone working in a well-known gallery would try to influence the defining style of an artist. I’ve been dealing with that mind set since college. Professors tried to influence our work to be more impressionistic or abstract, because that was the “hip, and upcoming thing”. The art world can be so subjective, and politically influenced. I have to agree with Mary…..blech.

I think it’s important to remain true to your own creativity…..and never let someone else try to define your growth, or your defining style, as an artist. Some will like your work, and others my not. But, no matter what your style, each artist should always remain true to themselves.

By: Bruce M. Mackh

Bruce M. Mackh — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:21:29 +0000

I like your blog!

Best, Bruce M. Mackh

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:48:20 +0000

Being known for my use of color and an Afrocentric point of view is my style. I used to be annoyed when people would pass by my booth at juried shows and just say “Oh, I love your colors!”. Now, I try to engage them, and ask them why, or which colors resonate with them. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s great.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:53:21 +0000

i think this is probably true and probably why i am not successful in the art world at all. interestingly enough, i don’t care any more…i am so tired of realizing that just being me isn’t enough, is wrong, is out of whack…is everything but right….and today, oh well….i do what i do. i’m old enough to realize success is a transient and superficial thing that one has to constantly tweak and maintain. i hate all the positioning, maneuvering, marketing, etc. blech.

a wise friend who travels the world, works little and has a wonderful life told me over 20 years ago that he had realized that people lived really well on the two extremes. those who had millions and those who chose to have little. by choosing to have little to maintain he doesn’t have to work a lot and he does what he likes….and no, he is not a loafer or a bum or a borrower…he works 24/7 at a resort area for 3 months and travels the rest of the year….more and more i like his style. maybe that will be my new artistic style this year….

By: Patricia(S)

Patricia(S) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:04:25 +0000

What I see emerging here is the committment to the work, which then develops into a personal style. When artists of all kinds work hard at what they love, their style is evident though perhaps subtle even through changes in genre and time.
Style without the work and the committment behind it, is simply gimmickery.Like the house built on sand it never lasts, and no one wants to spend much time there.

By: Roberta

Roberta — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:56:38 +0000

I get why having a particular style is important; and in some regards I do have an artistic style….or more like several styles. I’ve been told to narrow my focus, but to me it feels like forcing myself to work in a box. Why in the art world is creativity, in so far as having varying styles, frowned upon? In a perfect world it would be the other way around, where being able to show proficiency in several mediums or several styles would be an indication of creative depth and mastery.