Creating Art in Multiple Mediums and Why Artistic Ability Seems So Elusive.

"Form Over Function!" - © James Wilson

For anyone that doesn’t know, I took up painting last week. It’s not really that far of a stretch because of my interests in photography and drawing, but I’ve never painted before. Sure I had the childhood painting projects using finger paints and water colors, but nothing remotely serious. It’s really ironic due to the fact that my mother has been a painter for pretty much all of my life, but I just never took an interest. I’m not sure exactly why, but I imagine it has to do with my own self doubt. I never thought I had a natural talent for the arts and so I never pursued them. It’s taken a while, but I’ve finally realized that everyone has a creative talent, but that over time we’ve put up this wall convincing ourselves we’re not good enough.


I am starting to discover that a well rounded knowledge base and set of interests are beneficial to my creative muse. With multiple disciplines to draw inspiration from I seem to stand a better chance at creating the “prefect” piece. I also seem to be find that I’m affected by creative blocks far less often than I used to be. After all, if I don’t feel much like making images, I can choose to paint, write, draw, or push some pixels around a screen. I’m also finding that every time I’m creating something in one medium, I will have new inspirations for another one. For instance, my new experimentation with painting was initially brought on by an idea that snuck in while I was studying typography. I found typography while learning about graphic design. Creatively speaking, they are all connected.

Each form has it’s own traits and techniques, but they all begin with the basics such as shape, form, color, etc. and each directly influences the next in the jumble of my own thoughts. When I’m studying something like contrasts in a photo I’ve made, I’m also adding that knowledge to a bag of tricks for each of the other mediums. It’s like fast tracking the learning curve and permanently encasing it in my brain. I’m really excited about moving into other art forms, and I just know I’ll end up finding something else to try and that it too will add to my ability to create.

The funny thing about most of the photographers I meet is that they believe capturing images with a camera is the only way for them to be creative. Like I mentioned, the same principles of good photography apply to almost every other medium.  So why then is photography (and even other artistic disciplines) littered with people who wouldn’t dare cross the line of their chosen medium? Possibly it’s because photography is so easy to get in to in the first place.

While it’s true that good photography takes practice and knowledge, there’s very little (other than cost of gear) in the way of barriers to get started—a basic kit camera or even a point and shoot will do. On the other had, painting requires paints, brushes, knives, a palette, an easel (though not necessary), and either canvas or some other base to paint on. Even though these together are much cheaper than what most photographers start out with equipment wise, the sheer number of elements is enough to scare many people away. And not only does painting require multiple elements, but multiple sessions and layers and building upon a basic form. It’s daunting. A camera itself is an easy tool, and with the addition of chips and processors that can do a lot of the work for you (though not nearly as well) creating is as simple as pressing a button. With our quest for instant gratification what else could an “untalented” creative ask for?

The truth is, every person has the capability to create art, it’s up to them to find the courage to just let go and try. Before last Friday I had never even tried painting. I didn’t know the difference between acrylic and oil paints and couldn’t tell you the first thing about glazes or washes. Honestly, it’s surprising it’s taken 28 years for me to find an interest in painting. After all, I grew up surrounded by my mother’s paintings. The thing is, I was so awestruck by how effortlessly she seemed to create them that I didn’t believe I could ever produce anything remotely close. What I didn’t realize was that she often failed, and buried beneath the layers of her masterpieces were one or even two layers of failures. That’s the magic about art. To the viewer it often seems so effortless, but more often than not the artist attempted time and time again and learned from each failure in an effort to create something entirely flawless.

Amazingly we have put the ability to express ourselves creatively up on this pedestal and made it so impossible to obtain we’ve given up trying. I blame school funding and parental involvement. With the push to be monetarily successful, our culture has placed more emphasis on the business end of the spectrum and left the creative side to fend for itself. The thing is, trying just once will set you on a path to success. You will learn and begin exploring, and before you know it you will be creating effortlessly. Now, just like my mother, not everything you create will be a hit, but you will learn much more from each miss that you will from each hit anyway.

"Sphere Sketch" - © James Wilson

So what are you doing sitting in front of your screen saying “yeah right, not me.” Go to your nearest art store, buy a sketch pad, and a set of pencils. They will come with all these numbers and letters on them, but ignore that for now. Just pick up the one marked 2B (the same as that #2 pencil you used in school) and find something simple to draw, I used one of my sons toy balls. Look at it carefully and don’t force yourself to draw, instead start slow and just define the shape and shades and work up from there. Remember, it’s not supposed to be a masterpiece, it’s a jumping off point. As long as you work with that in mind you can’t fail. Good luck, start creating.

Jimmy