I keep forgetting how much I love Calvin and Hobbes, but then I find my own way back to it again. I never had a TV growing up, and my parents generally only let me read "literature", even if it was for children. But Calvin and Hobbes was the exception to the rule and I have my grandfather to thank for that - I still get along with him really well, actually. I talk to him about any and everything.
This week was pretty boring at school, nothing much to do. I had a decent talk with Joe Morse though, for my illustrative drawing and painting class. He seems to enjoy my prehistoric style art, because it's so far removed from western tradition and he appreciates a student trying to get to the core of what makes art so profound for humans. That things, that inner truth that allows art thousands of years old still catch our heart and eyes and hold it there. Almost all the artists I know, whether they see it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness. I'd like to get to the core of that, to express humans as we are - emotional creatures.
Speaking of! Eve Ensler, how do I love thee, let me count the ways. Even if you don't like the work she's famous for I think everyone should check out her speech at TED.com, discussing the inner girl. It's a powerful story, that lifts up not just women but all of us.
Might go to school tomorrow to work on my PEN illustration about the oppression of free speech for writers, and my design homework for a water campaign branding identity. And dance, I suppose - why not, everyday is a good day to dance!
I was always curious as to how other artists feel about why they make their art, and the core question they're trying to answer by creating it. Is it different for animators or illustrators or writers or musicians? Who knows, but if you have anything to throw out there don't be shy. If you're out there.
heh, no one else has commented on this yet so I feel like a bit of a creeper, but the invitation was there, so... :)
I like those last questions. I hadn't thought much about reasons for creation between/across various art forms, I'd always assumed they were pretty similar, but now that I think of it, there might be reasons very specific to the medium, and again to the artist.
For myself as an animator, I suppose I make my art (be it animation, paintings, miscellaneous pieces) because I have a compulsion to process things and create and express what I see or think about as a result. If I don't, I end up feeling lousy or crammed inside or about to forget things; more or less impermanence. Also, it's very thrilling (and I hope this never dies) to make something move and come to life and think and feel and tell a story. Something I've realized lately too (particularly as working on my film is coming to a close) is that I want to be heard - which might sound suspiciously emo, but I don't mean it in that sense. What I mean is that I want to work on things that matter; art that affects people, and for the betterment of others. That gets somewhat apprehensive-ish when it comes to finding a job, but with the co-op I did this past summer (helping on an indie stop-mo film) I realized it might be possible for me to at least do that on my own time.
p.s. I only know one e.e. cummings poem ('I thank you God for most this amazing'), but it makes me very happy.
p.s.s. this blog makes me want to write more.
-Carla.