Dear Artist,
The making of art can be divided into three main camps: Subject driven, style driven and idea driven.
Subject matter is a secure camp. There can also be ever-widening sorties to find subjects that provide further interest and challenge. An upcoming trip to Europe builds anticipation that the holy grail of painting may be found in some Spanish village or Irish bog. Many are on this crusade. It’s not without its charms. Great to come back with a full creel — sublimated evidence for the modern day hunter-gatherer.
Audrey Hepburn, New York, January 1967, 1967
Collage of gelatin silver prints
40.6 x 59.1 cm
by Richard Avedon (1923 – 2004)
The style-driven camp forages for subjects suitable for the infliction of their style. Personal style gives personal pride and a feeling of uniqueness. While this camp may be occasionally troubled with the limitations, they name consistency as a virtue and often give themselves more possibilities of commercial success.
Then there are those that break camp and move into the castles of their minds. Photographer Richard Avedon said, “Start with a style and you are in chains, start with an idea and you are free.” In the land of mind, ideas are kings and their vassals need only to search their capabilities for effective ways of illustration. They might even direct foot soldiers to do the slogging for them.
John Harrison, lumber salesman, and his daughter Melissa, Lewisville, Texas, November 22, 1981
Gelatin silver print
138.4 x 111.1 cm
by Richard Avedon
In truth, subject matter and style combine to generate ideas and those ideas in turn generate the miracles of mind. G. K. Chesterton said, “In the long vigil the artist may have to vary his methods of stimulation.” It remains that art is pulled higher by itself. Process prods quality. Quality of thought and quality of execution. In the garret or in the bog it’s valuable for artists to develop an intuition for this: a third eye, a sixth sense — the persistence of wonder.
Best regards,
Robert
PS: “What we need is more sense of the wonder of life, and less of the business of making a picture.” (Robert Henri)
Veruschka, dress by Bill Blass, New York
January 1967
Gelatin silver print
60.3 × 49.3 cm
by Richard Avedon
Esoterica: Subject matter, when seen as a means to an end, serves. When seen only as something that has to be got right, inhibits. “An artist must actively caress wonder.” (Eric Maisel)
This letter was originally published as “Persistence of wonder” on March 29, 2003.
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“I never get tired of the blue sky.” (Vincent van Gogh)
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6 Comments
“I never get tired of the blue sky.” (Vincent van Gogh)
…. yes, and I never tire of a good letter.
So true! Such great thoughts, always.
Agreed. “.. the persistence of wonder.” And following the tiny crumbs along its path.. Thanks for a thought-provoking piece!
Insightful, and also comfortably humorous! Helps me to consider where I am now. Thank you.
Distinguishing 3 paths ! What a poignant reminder, then letting all 3 meet…
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