ramonn90

Why Art Is Important and Why You Should Keep Making It

Published: August 20th 2024, 6:06:57 pm

Art is the way in which we capture and show our ideas to ourselves and to the world, in my opinion. Even though we are wired similarly, everyone has different ideas defined by their unique experiences, so the way they show these ideas and their content is unique.

I like to think of my art as a new perspective in which the mundane becomes something different, something bizarre or just fun. This exercise forces me to think and be creative over trivial subjects, aiming to build stories, narratives, and designs beyond their main utility or appearance. I cannot say I always succeed, but I always try.

I've spent years exploring techniques and practicing them until eventually, I felt comfortable enough with drawing and painting. That does not mean I've mastered the art of capturing reality through my execution, but I no longer feel the need to rely solely on realistic rendering to feel satisfied with a "finished" piece. In other words, technique matters, but always in a subjective way, what a "good" render looks like to me might be different for others. To me, it's fine as long as I like it and others understand it.

My point is that we, as artists, will face a new form of competition in the next couple of years or months, where technique will be cheaper to produce for anyone who can write, especially realistic art, since that's what most beginners pursue. Is that battle lost in the digital terrain? No. It's lost only if you think art is about one thing: achieving aesthetically pleasing or realistic ends. But again, that's just one aspect of what art is capable of.

Art ultimately tells the artist's story, whether through music or painting, brush strokes, or pencil scratches. The medium is as important to the artist as their signature, but without meaning behind that signature, there would be no reason for it to be copied by a machine. It’s what the artist says that creates the value behind that particular pattern of strokes, making it worth emulating by others. Yet the message remains unique to the truly real artist.

So, is it worth trying to learn and master art techniques? Yes, because through the journey, you develop a signature that only pain, fun, and time can create. But keep your eyes on all that art can be, there are plenty of things that a machine can do, but the soul, emotion, and personal touch in your work are irreplaceable. The unique expression of your humanity is something no machine can replicate.

I want to close this short reflection by asking the reader, 'Why do you make art?' If you think it's worth sharing, leave a comment below.