Personal Post

How to Make Great Art

Wheels Up
By Bob Brussack
26 July 2008

I've heard it a thousand times. Well, not a thousand -- maybe twenty-three. Ballpark, twenty-three. First, you learn your craft by making conventional art. Then, when you've mastered the techniques, you can allow your ambition to guide you, perhaps, to greatness, or at least to a mention as one of the "minor" artists of your age or your county or maybe you could sell a piece or two, who knows. But this crossing of the boundary beyond the conventional, how does it happen exactly? Do you just wake up one morning, put on your traveling clothes, head out to the boundary of the conventional like Sam Gamgee heading out to the end of the Shire, and cross? Is there some incantation? Don't ask me. I haven't finished mastering the conventional yet. But I think I have an inkling of how it might work for some folks. If you make enough conventional art, you get bored. And playful. And you begin to tinker. Hey, what if I frame the image THIS way. Hah! Cool. And you're off to Bree and Rivendell and who knows where.

Report a Problem

 

Oh no! Is there a problem with this story?

JPG strives to be an open and inclusive community, but some stuff is not allowed. Please let us know if you think this story is not appropriate for our community and why.


or

Thanks for letting us know!

Thanks for voicing your concerns. Rest assured, we take it seriously. We'll look into it and take any appropriate action.


Join the party!