Language of Artist

September 12, 2018

I have begun to think of art as a language, with each artist having their own dialect. So as I paint I ask myself – how does this read? For instance – does it read accurately as in here are hands do they look like hands? Or here are her eyes do they look like her eyes?

Then I ask myself – what mood does this evoke as it is now? Does it evoke sadness, happiness, mystery etc.
And finally I ask myself – is it pretty or beautiful or pleasant to look at?

Asking myself these questions along the journey of the painting helps keep me focused on what message I am trying to send to the viewer. What emotion do I want the viewer to feel?

How important is this element to the overall message or emotion? Should I make it more prominent or push it back so that I steer the viewer toward an area that more accurately portrays the message or mood I am trying to convey?

We as artist are constantly speaking to the people that will view our art. We are expressing to them what we believe to be important. As we do this from painting to painting, we often develop our own style that can be recognized as uniquely ours. To me that is the essence of art.

Cheri LaVelle