ArtBistro

I don't think that when an older professor gives a crit and as you say dismisses the art as kitsch or too sentimental, that there's anger within what they are saying. It's not only about the sincerity or emotion about the work, it's more about the technical aspects of the work and how they move your emotions. If there is a deeper meaning then you should use that conception within a technique. But there should be a ballance in a work of art. When an artwork seems too kitschy it's about how it "feels" technically and emotionally. But when the media and universal truths and cliches get in the way of your work it demeans it in a way. It's disapointment not anger.

Amy,
I think you want to be a serious artist and want to be understood by others. This is good for someone who has a lifetime to come to terms with understanding their own art. I have found that in the long view of how one sees their work changes. In time the description of the type of artist they are evolves or they may even care less to describe what they do as something other then original work. To describe ones work is almost always less important then the work itself. Best wishes on your journey, don't worry passion is what counts most.

I thought i was an abstract impressinst, but ive become an avid cartoonist. To hell with the labes. I am just happy to be an artist.

I am an Abstract, Impressionistic, Realist whose work is look into the mind of a man that is the living definition organized chaos and contradiction. I am joking around, well I do suppose those silly adjectives describe my work. I paint portraits, action shots of musicians, collage, abstract, draw and paint murals. Mostly, whatever is tickling my fancy at the time. I strive to be as versatile and proficient as possible. When I shuffle around from one "style" to the next , I find myself not getting bored and always in the mood to create. One of my favorites ever is Picasso. He is who I want to be like. Someone categorize Picasso. Other than a Prolific Pure Artist and Innovator. He did it all and thats what I am trying to do. In no way am I comparing myself to him other than we both do more than just paint or create ONE way, oh yeah, and I am a Spaniard.

this article is like words everybody had on thier mouth, but you took the time to write that down (on this platform ofcourse), it could have been written in any of our personal diaries waiting to be discovered or rotting away, smthing which holds true for our existence as ARTISTS...to be true i can't come to terms with the actual definition of it, I don't know how others define it either, so I can't honestly say if we can ever define ourselves to detail, I could say / judge about a lot of visuals in terms of a general mood. we can dechipher the meaning of a visual on a emotional level which is just like; identifying a particular color scheme when you see it. but can we go deeper, or to each of us the art we see, or create has interpretations according to our individuality, then how does art or an artist is defined/////???, it changes for everyone. I realise there are a lot of inherent contradictions in my view point, but thats my honest reflection on this question for now.

I think there are 2 broad categories of artists: The Failed Artist ( like John Constable Golding and Paul Gauguin and Van Gogh!!!) and the Successful Artist (Like Picasso and Damien Hirst). I paint beautiful Landscapes just the way Constable Golding did more that 200 years ago... and like him...I am a Failure commercially. No Gallery is willing to display my Works as they feel there is zero demand for Beautiful Paintings. And I cannot for the life of me paint trash like Picasso or Miro or any of the celeberated jokers.

As an artist you have to be true to yourself and try not be be everything to everyone. I tend to paint the things that I enjoy painting but sometimes you have to push yourself to try new media, techniques or subject matter just to grow as an artist. As far as articulating what kind of artist you are, that can be a very intimidating question to answer. I'm afraid I tend to lean toward the "I dunno" which is pretty lame but maybe the right answer is "I'm still finding out."

I am not really sure, I want to be good, but I am so hard on myself, I don't know.