PROCESS IS ART

As artists we're aware that a crucial part of creating the work is actually creating the work, the process. For some artists the process is the only concept and the end product can be whatever it is. But for others the process simply the journey to the final product. This got me thinking about how we are trained to think in today's world.

Growing up the most important part was the grade on the test. It wasn't about what you learned as much as how that one letter could prove to the world that you studied well this time. The studying part was the torture, no one liked studying. But studying was the process to getting that final product that we all really desired.

This can go into other things as well, like shopping. Everyone shops. But rarely does a person actually go and think "Hey I bet these chips (or beer or really ANYTHING) were made in a really interesting factory..." The process isn't important at all, but the end product is all that matters. (Some people like to make their own food or beer or chairs and that's great. Seriously, we need more people willing to create their own items.) But have you actually been to a factory that makes potato chips? or a Brewery? It's AMAZING.

Sadly, I think most people don't really care how something is made and they only care about the end result. These people will never be artists, or understand the thought process of an artist. The process is what gives the final result meaning. Yes, sometimes when we are creating something we think of this amazing end product and that's all we want to achieve. But we forget that sometimes the human parts, or the little mistakes and tweaks that we get while struggling to make it how we want make it give the result that extra hint of amazing.

So what do I think? I think we all should take a trip and visit a nearby factory and go on a tour. It doesn't even matter what it is, just figure out how exactly this thing is made and the precision and labor that goes into it. You'd be surprised how many factories actually host tours and a lot of them are free. Visit www.factorytoursusa.com or just google it. (TIP: Beer breweries sometimes give out free samples)

Let this experience allow you to see things differently and appreciate the process a little more.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE INSPIRED BY CHAIRS

Recently everywhere I turn people have been talking about their Dream Boards and other similar things. Now, I don't know much about Pinterest, I already have a Tumblr so why should I set up another similar account when I've already got one, plus 3 sketchbooks I use daily (soon to be 4). But I've heard it is pretty much a Dream Board at least something along those lines. Even Ron Funches on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon says he started using a Dream Board. 

Now to break it down, there are many different types of dream boards or walls or books or whatever. You can put up pictures of things you aspire to own, or you can have pictures of things you just enjoy and inspire you, OR you can have pictures of just literally anything that you find yourself liking (from a rug, to an advertisement)

As an artist I think it is key to surround yourself in what you like and allow it to always be present that way if you ever look at it differently or have it randomly catch your eye, you'll be inspired. I have so many artist prints framed and surrounding me at most times. TIP: I've found that when going to museums it's cheap to pick up a few postcards of your favorite pieces you saw there and use them as art around the house.

But most recently, while looking through an IKEA magazine, I found some things that I was drawn to visually. Yes I also do just want to buy the stuff in the image and decorate my house exactly like how they do, BUT I also found it aesthetically pleasing. Then it hit me, I liked how this particular room was designed because of it's similarity to what I want to do as an artist. The color palette was similar, the lines and it had aspects of it that I needed to put in my work. 

I know it shouldn't be surprising or innovative to think that interior design or the design of a chair or the way that this advertisement is photographed is linked to the fine arts because I mean come on, have you walked around the MoMA? There is a whole section devoted to artistic designs of furniture and I mean their stores alone have everything and anything there but somehow it's artistic... 

What I'm trying to get at is: use your sketchbook, or the walls of your house, or just a bulletin board to put up EVERYTHING you find yourself attracted to, not just the artwork. You never know what will make you see something in your work.

Related Post (with Artist References): http://artotterblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/inspiration-can-come-from-anywhere.html
Here's the Ron Funches video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slrgBNOmhTI