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Self-taught versus education
Hello everyone,
My name is Karien Zachery and I'm a self-taught multi-medium artist living in Gardena, CA. One thing I've encountered in the world of professional art is: the difference between the way natural artists are treated versus educated artists.
We constantly hear that art..like beauty...is subjective and really can't be taught or judged. Yet our society is overflowing with beauty contests and cosmetic comparisons. In the same way, there is an established standard in the art world, that separates naturally talented artists from those who have been formally educated.
Meaning: Galleries and collectors are not as likely to support an artist possessing only raw talent versus an artist with some or minimal talent and supportive credentials. I can't tell you how many upscale galleries I've visited and viewed extravagantly priced work that looks like a five-year old did it.
My point is this: at what point in a person's career does the art world view their work as innovative enough to be called and marketed as 'real art?'
Who sets the standard?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jo Ann Neal on -
Hi Karen! I too am self-taught w/ 1 Art history course under my belt. In the last few months I've been introduced to so many Artists, here & thru Facebook & Twitter. On 1 side I feel like I'm becoming a REAL member of the larger Art Community, then on the flipside I am taken aback by how many of these Artists are formally trained & educated in the execution & business of ART. At first I felt intimidated, like maybe I should just take my little paintings & retreat to obscurity :-( But that feeling was short lived.
I have gotten a warm reception from Artists from all over the world. Some have offered kudos for my work, some have merely welcomed me to groups/pages etc. Art IS subjective. Some folks love my work, some like it, some have no comment. At large Gallery shows with numerous Artists I've seen "Art Snobs" look down their noses as they pass my work while another of the same is compelled to stop & smile & are genuinely thrilled to meet me/ discuss my work !!! But I have noticed that the Invitational Exhibits, Art Parties usually feature the elite Artists with Art degrees.
So, who sets the standards? For me--I do. I would love to have my work heralded and coveted in Art Circles, who wouldn't! But in the meantime I will enjoy what I do, share my Art with as many folks as I can, and hope I leave a legacy my Family will pass down for generations :-)
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Permalink Reply by David G. Wilson on -
Kudos to you. That's the spirit! Never let others dictate what you do or subscribe to their narrow vision of what art is. I have noticed that if one is not following the trend of the mainstream, they look at you as if you have two heads. Well in the 19th century everyone was following the dictates of the French Salon. Bourguereau, Gerome, Fladrin and Couture, who was Manet's teacher told him, "You will never amount to more than the Domier of your time". Today, Couture is hardly known outside of the circle of those who have studied art history. Infact, he is remember for one painting, "The Romans of the Decadence" and as Manet's teacher. Remember, Van Gogh was not even considered fit for sale by his own brother who managed an art gallery. Today, all the pompier painters whom his brother regarded so highly are unknown. His own cousin, Mauve, helped him begrudgingly.
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Permalink Reply by Edwin Boone on -
The sad, but true story of Vangoh is that he suffered horrible rejection, because he struggled to attain the basics. Consequently he never reaped the rewards of his work during his lifetime, which is one of the worst tragedies that can be bestowed upon an artist, postmortem recognition.
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Permalink Reply by Sálongo Lee on -
Yes, it is true that famous after death is not great for a struggling artist. But one also must accept that Vangoh was seriously mentally ill during the time of his most productive period of painting. Not being in touch with reality can have its drawback on one success. It has been noted that a lot highy creative artists and successful ones have from time to time during there career have suffered from their demons which has lead to the ending of their careers prematurely. This has allowed others to reap the rewards of their creativity, so in some ways nothing has changed since the time of Vangoh.
During his time artists did attain fame but not necessarily the financial rewards as artist do today. Never in the history of art until now has art been sold, invested in and traded as a commodity have so many living artist become millionairs, including self taught and educated artists. But then many have lost that money because they did not educate themselves to the ways of the art/business world so they could keep it and make it work for them.
As artist we must educate ourselves not only to be better artists but also to be better business people. If you want to survive as an artist meaning that creating and selling art is your main source of income then you have to be able to afford to do your art. I see to many artist educated and self taught who have the talent but wind up struggling because they do not understand or will not educate themselves to the basic
rules of business. They will not allow themselves to succeed because they think they have to create art like white people's or that by learning how to properly run a business will take away from their art.
There is much we can do to help ourselves in the creation of our art just by creating an environment that allows us to work without struggling for the basics. Money is always help full but if one is not smart about it you can have lots of money and still struggle as an artist and have career that goes no where.
The art world on a global level is a about the almighty dollar and if you are trying to get a slice of it you need to be ready. You need to really understand how it works and that it will devour those who do not pay attention. You can maintain your standards and ideals if you understand what your are getting into and never let your guard down.
I learned long ago there is nothing heroic or cool about being a starving artist or sacrificing for the sake of my art. I've learned from a lot of successful artist over the years and I'm still learning. Master your art and master your business.
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Permalink Reply by Edwin Boone on
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Actually Salongo, the evidence found in his letters suggest that he did not paint during his illness. You may be correct in pointing out his mental condition, it may have played a part in his artistic process, but it's disputable.
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Permalink Reply by Sálongo Lee on
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Yes, anything from the past is disputable we really can not be sure of anything as researchers can only make an educated guess and inferred diagnosies based on questionable evidence. It would be nice if a time machine really did exist but would that be really good for society. Whst is real is that dispite what ever demons haunted him and others they created art that has stood the test of time by still evoking strong emotions in the viewers hundreds of years later. As artist self taught or educated that is what will set us apart.
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Permalink Reply by RICCI MICHAELS on -
I AGREE THAT MANY UPSCALE GALLERIES REFUSE TO TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY IF YOU LACK A DEGREE OR ANY TYPE OF CREDENTIALS FROM AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. I TOO AM A SELF TAUGHT ARTIST. I STUDIED ART IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHEN I ATTENDED CLASS. GOD BLESSED ME WITH THIS TALENT AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME. I AM AN ARTIST ALL DAY, EVERYDAY, I CREATE SOMETHING EVERYDAY, WHAT A BLESSING THAT IS. I AM LEGALLY BLIND WITH VERY LIMITED VISION BUT I STILL PAINT AS BEST I CAN. SINCE LOSING MY SIGHT I FIND THAT PEOPLE (GALLERIES) ARE MORE WILLING TO WORK WITH ME. I WAS SPEAKING RECENTLY AT A WOMANS CONFERENCE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND WHEN I FINISHED SPEAKING AND DISCUSSING MY WORK. SHE ASKED ME IF I HAD BEEN DISCOVERED. I ANSWERED YES ,I DISCOVERED MYSELF AT AN EARLY AGE. I WAS BORN TO BE ME. I REALIZED A VERY LONG TIME AGO TO FOLLOW MY HEART AND CREATIVE INSTINCT. IN THE THIRTY PLUS YEARS I HAVE BEEN CREATING ART I HAVE NEVER REGRETTED IT. I OVERHEARD SOMEONE CALL ME AN OUTSIDER ARTIST. I PREFER THE TITLE URBAN EXPRESSIONIST, BECAUSE I PAINT WHAT I KNOW AND THAT WHICH IS AROUND ME.
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Permalink Reply by Sálongo Lee on
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I agree with you and it's no just upscale galleries that have that attitude there are some Black galleries that have the exact same attitude or worse if you are not doing quote Black Art, which means if you do landscapes, flowers, they are not interested. I've turned away from a few black galleries over the years. One I remember purchased some work for a gift but informed that they ere not interested in showing my images which was very black because it was photography. Another well know Black photography gallery owner told a group of us he wasn't interested in selling our work because it was landscape and conceptual and abstract photography. We had the last laugh we still doing what we love and they are closed.
A gallery has the right to show whatever they want but if there are so narrow minded that an artist must have papers then they are missing out on a lot of possibles and need to come into the real world. That holds the same for a Black gallery that feels that all must be Black Art. I an a lot feels that tends to pigeon hole and stereotype what we should be doing. And that is a whole different discussion.
Which I think I will blog about later tonight.
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Permalink Reply by Karien Zachery on -
Love this post!....why do you think they showed more interest after learning you were legally blind? ......I get the feeling they felt your story made you more interesting as an artist.......easier to sell......whatever!.....just get in!....Great answer to that woman at the Women's conference too.....Bravo Ricci!
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Permalink Reply by Phyllis A, Clark on -
Ditto on your comment to Karien. I love you Great attitude and approach. It's nice to hear that you were welcomed with open arms. I am a freelance artist as well with no formal training all my God-given talent. And as you stated and they are my words exactly I will enjoy what do share my Art withas many folkls as I can, etc. Eventhough making it big wouldn't be bad either. (smile). Phyllis Clark
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Permalink Reply by Karien Zachery on
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Thanks for you supportive input!
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Permalink Reply by Alexander William Davis on
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Ms. K, I love exposing "Light". Artist are the bravest people, God ever made. Why? They are willing to share, what lies at the deepest recesses of their being. You have seen a force, build within you that was so great, it would not be denied its full expression. Enjoy your journey, the credit is all yours! Be blessed....
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