If it's OK, I MUST comment on the content of one of your journal pages--specifically, the "too pretty" remark.
This is a form of elitism that I cannot abide. For reasons I cannot document (because I don't remember them), sometime in the mid-20th Century, academe judged beautiful art to be less "serious" than "ugly" art.
As time passes and this temporary more becomes passe, we will learn that there is indeed a place for ALL OF IT--the gritty and the pretty.
There are so many people out there who love all of your pages it seems so totally wrong that you feel you need to make a change becaue of one or maybe two people who don't agree. I was watching a video last night and I think we all need to remember this. Art is to make YOU happy. Nobody else. Do what comes from your heart and you will find many people who are touched by you being real. I would say to that person, "HOW RUDE!"
Wow, these sure caught my eye! I have to agree with Maria about the comment of your art being too pretty. That's nonsense. Do what you feel like doing, people love it. And who the heck decided that 'gritty' is better?
My screen is small and I had trouble reading all of the journal pages but I'm getting the gist of what you are saying. I must be from a different planet 'cuz I've always thought your art was edgy. Great color and style does not mean "pretty". You will grow as an artist, we all do but I hope you choose to stay true to yourself. "Gritty" is highly over-rated!
I think you should just produce the kind of work you enjoy. Your work is beautiful and inspirational and only a fine arts snob would say something like that. You have your own unique style that influences many people's work (I see it on others blogs) so you must be doing something right as imitation is the great form of a compliment. Sheryl
I cannot believe you would give any creedence to someone who wants you to change your artistic style. Shame on them. Every single artist I know wishes they could make art like you, and that includes me. You are one of a kind. You are just as you should be. You are you, not someone else. Don't listen to anyone but your heart and your Muse.
I loved your zines, everything about them, and I miss them! Tell your self-critical voice to take a vacation, that's my 2 cents. Thanks for putting your art on the blog for us.
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and I've seen many artist's who try to replicate your ideas or style. I've taken inspiration from your "no matchy-matchy" color schemes and whimsical borders but in the end, you are the true deal! You are authentic. Don't change for the sake of change.
Okay...three things... One...I totally relate to your statement that your art is more confident than you...fortunately for us, it's infectious, don't you think? Two, I am a graphic designer too, I used to be conflicted, was I a graphic designer or a fine artist. Art journaling finally united me, made me love all the fragments that made me, including the glorious world of Typography and graphic design. Three, I do believe that our initial plan should not be to make a beautiful page. I believe that it is through honest and raw expression that beauty naturally emerges. I see that most definitely in your work. I see loads and loads of boundless beauty in your art and in you. XOXOrly
I have to agree with the commenters who take issue with the person who made a negative comment on your work, that it was "too pretty". It's your style. Art is self expression. It doesn't have to be gritty, or anything else for that matter. If they want to do a gritty style, great. Maybe that is their self-expression. Gritty is not better than pretty. To think that it is, is ridiculous. And just as an aside, your journal pages are probably some of the most famous ones in the *world*! Even if that were not true, they are a piece of you! And that is good.
I just returned to visiting my favorite blogs after a break of several months, and first I read your most recent post, then scrolled down here, and as soon as I saw your art it made me gasp with admiration and appreciation, just as it always has. I'm not an art teacher nor an art critic, but I want to say that I LOVE your work in a way that I can only describe as visceral...it grabs me baby!!
I admire your work .. do not change because someone else told you to .. do it because it feels right to you .. YOU are one of the people that got me started on my journey in Art Journaling
Sometimes we paint and paint and paint....and are so natural and comfortable with our results...and a challenge comes....probably we have already expressed the same challenge in our heart knowing...it is time for a change or I NEED to be stretched....so we hear the challenge in a more accepting way....it causes a lot of emotions back and forth....but as an artist we always welcome the challenge ...it is part of our way of doing art in a satisfying way.... a challenge gives you more joy when it is accomplished, whether we like it or not....it is satisfying....I am a very detailed person....and the time came that I KNEW I needed a change, a challenge, challenging myself...loosening up, playing with a mess...looking and swimming in the process to discover something new and exciting, beyond what we have already accomplished .... stretch!!! Many may not like it at first and that is scarey....maybe they are too connected to your art than being connected to you and who you are...we need to be connected to you, the artist and creator of the piece no matter what, because it is YOUR words, your heart and who you are,...everyone already loves you, your art and what you are about....and believe me, it will still come out as you in your stretching!!!...will still be "you" and that is all we want!!1 SO STRETCH AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF ON!!!...we will love whatever you do....if we really love you! Can't wait to see what and how you stretch....all you have done is awesome and enough for a life time....but if YOU need to stretch...we'll be there with you!!
Toooo Pretty!!!! I have a problem with that! Your art is fabulous. So who says your art has to be gritty???? Your art is your art! That peron should not be allowed to tell you how your are should be! Sorry but I had to say this. That makes me crazy!!!
love this!! always love your colors!!
ReplyDeletexoxox
If it's OK, I MUST comment on the content of one of your journal pages--specifically, the "too pretty" remark.
ReplyDeleteThis is a form of elitism that I cannot abide. For reasons I cannot document (because I don't remember them), sometime in the mid-20th Century, academe judged beautiful art to be less "serious" than "ugly" art.
As time passes and this temporary more becomes passe, we will learn that there is indeed a place for ALL OF IT--the gritty and the pretty.
There are so many people out there who love all of your pages it seems so totally wrong that you feel you need to make a change becaue of one or maybe two people who don't agree. I was watching a video last night and I think we all need to remember this. Art is to make YOU happy. Nobody else. Do what comes from your heart and you will find many people who are touched by you being real. I would say to that person, "HOW RUDE!"
ReplyDeleteLove what is going on!
ReplyDeleteMy eyes re-focus on so many areas. Love the colors!!!
Oh I like the first one, are these three pieces? what are they made of and what is the size, just love the happiness of the first one.
ReplyDeleteWow, these sure caught my eye!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Maria about the comment of your art being too pretty. That's nonsense. Do what you feel like doing, people love it.
And who the heck decided that 'gritty' is better?
Wonderful, as always! You are so creative and your colors are to die for!
ReplyDeleteTeesha, Everything you do ROCKS! When you update your blog...it's like Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYou need to stay true to yourself. Everyone has an opinion and that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to listen to them.
ReplyDeleteYour choice of colors draws your eye to keep looking!!!Very cool.
ReplyDeletenot pretty -- beautifull--theres a diferance!
ReplyDeleteDo not change a thing about your style!
ReplyDeleteMy screen is small and I had trouble reading all of the journal pages but I'm getting the gist of what you are saying. I must be from a different planet 'cuz I've always thought your art was edgy. Great color and style does not mean "pretty". You will grow as an artist, we all do but I hope you choose to stay true to yourself. "Gritty" is highly over-rated!
ReplyDeleteI think you should just produce the kind of work you enjoy. Your work is beautiful and inspirational and only a fine arts snob would say something like that. You have your own unique style that influences many people's work (I see it on others blogs) so you must be doing something right as imitation is the great form of a compliment. Sheryl
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you would give any creedence to someone who wants you to change your artistic style. Shame on them. Every single artist I know wishes they could make art like you, and that includes me. You are one of a kind. You are just as you should be. You are you, not someone else. Don't listen to anyone but your heart and your Muse.
ReplyDeleteI loved your zines, everything about them, and I miss them! Tell your self-critical voice to take a vacation, that's my 2 cents. Thanks for putting your art on the blog for us.
ReplyDeleteMaria I love your comment! I think I will use it in my journal if you don't mind. ;)
ReplyDelete"a place for ALL OF IT -- the gritty and the pretty"
I think we all wonder from time to time if we have a style. I think we all do, but it is really hard to see from your own perspective. Yes?
Love all your jp's Teesha
Keep on doing what feels right. :)
Hugs
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and I've seen many artist's who try to replicate your ideas or style. I've taken inspiration from your "no matchy-matchy" color schemes and whimsical borders but in the end, you are the true deal! You are authentic. Don't change for the sake of change.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pattio, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYou never fail to amaze me, Teesha. I'm in such awe.
ReplyDeleteI am unable to read the words on these artworks but I love the feeling of vibrancy and the colours.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. I gobble up your art and colours. What a feast. Please don't change your style (unless *you* feel inspired to).
ReplyDeleteOkay...three things...
ReplyDeleteOne...I totally relate to your statement that your art is more confident than you...fortunately for us, it's infectious, don't you think?
Two, I am a graphic designer too, I used to be conflicted, was I a graphic designer or a fine artist. Art journaling finally united me, made me love all the fragments that made me, including the glorious world of Typography and graphic design.
Three, I do believe that our initial plan should not be to make a beautiful page. I believe that it is through honest and raw expression that beauty naturally emerges. I see that most definitely in your work. I see loads and loads of boundless beauty in your art and in you.
XOXOrly
I have to agree with the commenters who take issue with the person who made a negative comment on your work, that it was "too pretty". It's your style. Art is self expression. It doesn't have to be gritty, or anything else for that matter. If they want to do a gritty style, great. Maybe that is their self-expression. Gritty is not better than pretty. To think that it is, is ridiculous. And just as an aside, your journal pages are probably some of the most famous ones in the *world*! Even if that were not true, they are a piece of you! And that is good.
ReplyDeletegreat pages! thanks for a wonderful journalfest! i am already scheming on how to make it up there again next year! :)
ReplyDeleteSo absolutely inspirational Teesha !!
ReplyDeleteI just returned to visiting my favorite blogs after a break of several months, and first I read your most recent post, then scrolled down here, and as soon as I saw your art it made me gasp with admiration and appreciation, just as it always has. I'm not an art teacher nor an art critic, but I want to say that I LOVE your work in a way that I can only describe as visceral...it grabs me baby!!
ReplyDeleteI admire your work .. do not change because someone else told you to .. do it because it feels right to you .. YOU are one of the people that got me started on my journey in Art Journaling
ReplyDeleteSometimes we paint and paint and paint....and are so natural and comfortable with our results...and a challenge comes....probably we have already expressed the same challenge in our heart knowing...it is time for a change or I NEED to be stretched....so we hear the challenge in a more accepting way....it causes a lot of emotions back and forth....but as an artist we always welcome the challenge ...it is part of our way of doing art in a satisfying way.... a challenge gives you more joy when it is accomplished, whether we like it or not....it is satisfying....I am a very detailed person....and the time came that I KNEW I needed a change, a challenge, challenging myself...loosening up, playing with a mess...looking and swimming in the process to discover something new and exciting, beyond what we have already accomplished .... stretch!!! Many may not like it at first and that is scarey....maybe they are too connected to your art than being connected to you and who you are...we need to be connected to you, the artist and creator of the piece no matter what, because it is YOUR words, your heart and who you are,...everyone already loves you, your art and what you are about....and believe me, it will still come out as you in your stretching!!!...will still be "you" and that is all we want!!1 SO STRETCH AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF ON!!!...we will love whatever you do....if we really love you! Can't wait to see what and how you stretch....all you have done is awesome and enough for a life time....but if YOU need to stretch...we'll be there with you!!
ReplyDeleteToooo Pretty!!!! I have a problem with that! Your art is fabulous. So who says your art has to be gritty???? Your art is your art! That peron should not be allowed to tell you how your are should be!
ReplyDeleteSorry but I had to say this. That makes me crazy!!!