Showing posts with label authenticity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label authenticity. Show all posts

Friday, January 30, 2015

Authenticity

Recently, I've been thinking about authenticity, the question of "What is the most authentic work I could be doing?" 

Authentic: Real. From the heart. What art do I love? What art is "real"? Of all the art I create, what is most authentic?

This is what I love to create:

- photography
- making journals/books
- painting backgrounds
- colorful creative doodles
- digital painting, collage, art journaling
- fabric art quilts

I've always thought of my art quilts as "real art" - I suppose because it is hung on the wall. I've considered art journaling or painting in a journal creative but not "real" ... perhaps because it isn't hung on a wall. I realize that is not valid; art in a book is just as "real" as art to be hung on a wall. Yet ... this has been my mindset for a long time.

I'm reconsidering this now, especially with my new fascination with digital art. I like the word "authentic" which seems more inclusive than "real". I like the questions I've raised and am considering.

Authentic art comes from the heart. It is something within me that wants/needs to be expressed.

I consider the digital collage below to be authentic because

  • it's original
  • it's a theme that has surfaced in my art for years
  • it's a stretch - first time to do this kind of collage
  • it comes from the heart

This is an interesting place to be. I'd love to hear what you think.