Fine Art Blog | Art Actually » Artists

Tattoos Are Becoming Mainstream – But Are They Art?

linds — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:00:19 +0000

Art employs many different canvases. Some artists use music, others write poetry, still others use paint on a variety of media to convey their image or story. Still others use the human body as their backdrop and draw their pictures with a needle and ink. Yes, these are tattoo artists, and their work is becoming more prevalent. Many artists employ the basic stock images many people associate with tattoos that have been around since Grandpa got a heart tattooed on his bicep when he was in the armed forces. But tattoo artistry has taken on a new dimension in recent years.

One trend is that of tattooing a photograph of a person. Even women sport tattoos of their children or loved ones across a shoulder blade or lower back, and the skill required to render such a portrait with accuracy is impressive. Just as not everyone can sketch a portrait on paper with a pencil, it is definitely an acquired skill to draw a face with ink in a tattoo gun. A tattoo artist may spend days practicing on paper before placing the final artwork on a client’s skin, where using an eraser for a mistake is simply not an option.

Whether one considers a tattoo a piece of art might depend upon whether one has a tattoo of their own. Most tattoo wearers do consider them to be art that reflects something about themselves and their personality…which is what most forms of art do in one way or another.

The Joy And Sadness Behind Native American Art

linds — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:00:35 +0000

Native American art portrays life from the perspective of the artist. In particular, Native American art embodies both the joy and the pain experienced by a people group as a whole. From the days of freedom when their lives were governed by seasons, weather, and the passing of time, to the days of repression when their lands were encroached upon, their game slaughtered, and their freedoms taken away come the images, poetry, songs, and drama that defines Native American art today.

There is beauty in sadness, however painful it may be. There is also joy in loss, though the loss may be irreconcilable. Peace comes through arriving at the top of a mountain that it took a lifetime to climb, and appreciation of the experiences of others leads to a recognition of the artful beauty they possess. Native American art in particular purposely seeks out those moments of joy/pain, peace/war, and love/hate that fill ordinary life, and expounds on those moments. Native history is full of such experiences, both individually as well as collectively, and because of that history there will never be a lack of material from which to draw.

Of course, history continues into the future so an exciting element of Native art will be to watch it continue to evolve. Native Americans have a rich past and a developing future which holds an ever-growing canvas upon which to paint. How that looks remains to be seen, but it will undoubtedly be a thing of beautiful insight.

Social Networking For Artists

linds — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:00:50 +0000

Okay, so you have a great artistic product, be it music, photography, video footage of Bigfoot, etc. Now you need a way to let people know that you have these amazing artistic products that will enrich their lives, and of course you would really like to sell a few in order to pay your rent. So what now? It used to be difficult to break into the Internet market as an unknown artist or entrepreneur, but not anymore. Thanks to the concept of “social networking”, artists and entrepreneurs are finding it simpler than ever to promote themselves and their work, meet other artists in related industries, and enhance their own skills through contact with other successful individuals.

“The Outer Post” is one such site that has appeared on the scene, providing feedback on artists’ products and promotion, and enabling artists to find not only each other but also customers for their wares. One of the biggest challenges for artists is marketing their products. For an artist to create, they must have time and energy…but time and energy cost money, which means that the artist must develop an income. This means getting their products to potential customers, and social networking helps that happen. It also helps artists to meet each other and learn from each other, furthering the skills and creativity of all involved.

Hopefully we will see more of these types of sites popping up, supporting artists in their endeavors and helping them to build successful businesses from their craft.

New Exhibition At Hong Kong Museum Of Art

linds — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:00:13 +0000

It appears that Louis Vuitton has done it again, only this time in Hong Kong, as the “Passion for Creation” exhibit is on display with the blessing of Hanry Tang, Chief Secretary for Administration. Within this collection there is deemed to be a connection between the worlds of art and commerce, depicted in the pieces themselves. This collection includes pieces by artists from Europe, America, and China. Many of the pieces are mythical or fantasy in nature and dream-like in quality.

While modern art may not be the favorite of some, this is a wonderful opportunity to see works from several world-renowned artists who have shaped the landscape of the modern art world. Though definitely not the peaceful scenery of a Renoir, these pieces speak of the mindset of more than a century of artists who have blazed new trails and created a place for their talents where previously none had existed. The skill and imagination exemplified in this display are enormous, as are some of the pieces themselves!

Newly arriving artists are also on display among the more well-known, adding to the enjoyment of this collaboration. Anyone who has opportunity to partake of this event will definitely be glad they did. Louis Vuitton was founded during the Industrial era and obviously continues the tradition of hard work combined with creative ingenuity, clearly on display in Hong Kong.