Translation

With the Current - oil on canvas - SOLD

Art, being a language, things often get lost in translation.  An idea is a cerebral thing. Through the language of art it gets translated; made manifest in the art form. It's always unique.

A viewer comes to the artwork with their own life experiences, which influence their interaction with a work. What they take away from it may be entirely different from what the artist set out to communicate.  That doesn't matter.  What does matter is that something is communicated, and the viewer is richer for the experience.

Sometimes when I'm teaching, I struggle with the translation of the art language into my primary language; English.  Through practice I'm getting better at it. It's always easier to show a concept rather than to talk about it if I can.  Sometimes I show a concept by demonstration, which can be helpful.  Showing examples in works by other artists, especially the great ones is useful too.   It's important for people that are learning the language of art to see how diverse it can be; so much room for individuality, and that itself is something to be treasured and embraced.  Finding one's own voice is what it's all about; while at the same time learning when and what tools to reach for in order to get that voice to sing.