Drawing on our differences

"Rock Nude 2" available as a print

We have been using Art to communicate for 34,000 years. At least, that’s as far back as we can actually date humans drawing and painting on rocks and the walls of caves.
We don’t know what happened before then of course; less permanent methods of mark making are lost to us forever. We also have no idea what those beautiful cave paintings signify – were they magical means of capturing reality, plans for the hunt, shamanic rites of passage or simply means of expressing life as they saw it?
I like the theory that, as the cave paintings are carefully placed to become part of the uneven surfaces they adorn, they represent the shaman’s ability to travel between the worlds. That what we see is superficial to the hidden world where everything is one profound and plentiful soup of living energy.
​The shaman contacts the spirit of animal or plant to commune with all of life.

Besides imagery we self-express through music, dance and the written word. The wonder of a sunset, the sorrow of loss, the joy and hope of a new birth, life often touches us deeply and we are moved to find ways to share it with others. We smile, hug, cry, give gifts. We celebrate and commiserate. It’s what makes us human.

Art can tap into this deep emotional urge to communicate abstract emotions that are beyond words. This can vary from the literal translation of a scene to the darkest of obscure abstractions. Ultimately we are speaking to ourselves, making our feelings visible. How well we manage to do that depends on our level of expertise, and can be very frustrating if your drawing is like a seven year old’s, or your painting of a sunset turns to shades of brown.

It would be lovely (if a little boring after a while) to produce professional standard artworks every time, but ask yourself WHY you are painting/drawing?
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Is it to please someone else or yourself?
Assuming that you’re not aiming to sell or exhibit these ‘feeling’ paintings, does it really matter if they’re not perfect?

Personally, I think It’s worth practicing your skills and honing your techniques so that your paintings satisfy you more and more on an aesthetic level. They will also gain praise from others as a consequence, but always try to hold onto your personal motivation. Why did you choose this view and not another? What did this particular colour combination stir in you? Why did you use this technique or method? Keep it real and individual, keep connected to your art and it will communicate on many more levels than its outward appearance.

"Axis Mundi" mixed media on canvas

​There are plenty of painters out there who can reproduce reality and churn out commercially popular works, but many of them communicate absolutely nothing other than ‘here’s another one, buy me!’

We are all individuals; we all have different approaches to life.

Let’s enjoy being ourselves! 

"Mnajdra Temple" watercolour and crayon

"Pray Tell" watercolour and pastel