Jack of all trades?
Ok, so I am stretching the Jack-o-Lantern reference just a smidge…
But I got thinking about how some artists are known for one style ~ you could pick their work out of a line up no matter what the subject. This is a good thing for branding and also, I would think, for the artist when they approach a new project ~ they know how they would do it.
And then, there are those of us with more styles than you can shake a black cat at ~ and we’re conjuring up new ones all the time. I am one of these artists. You might have noticed this if you’ve crept around around my website or been haunting my blog. While I am frightfully glad for this versatility, I fear sometimes that this creative wandering brands me as a schizophrenic more than as an artist! However, it does create challenges…like when I have an idea for a design ~ which of my styles should I pull out of my bag of tricks? Should I dig up a new one?
Also, I believe that in this industry, it is perceived that an artist designs for all occasions ~ Christmas, Halloween, Baby, Birthday, Wedding, Everyday, etc. ~ you get the idea. I certainly try to scare up a few designs for each and every category (except Baby; I don’t do Baby. That’s just scary.), but the truth be known, I struggle with some of them, even if the results do not appear so. So my question is, should we artists be Jack-of-All-Trades? Do we have to in order to have a ghost of a chance in this business?
October 10th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Hi, BJ. I’m also one of those artists with many styles. I can’t seem to stick with one style, so I go with what’s working at the time. I understand this may not be good when it comes to branding one’s work, but I work in collections/styles as you do hoping that my clients will recognize the consistency within a given collection.
I love ALL of your artwork!
All the best,
Liz Revit
October 11th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Beej… I know what you mean. Before licensing, I was a pretty busy illustrator. I learned many mediums and I learned to give them what they want. I was known as Joyce-dial-a-style-Shelton. Part of it is that we like to try all those new art supplies we keep buying! If you look at my blog, I’m all over the map. I don’t know if I’m coming or going these days???? Hard to decide what “THEY” want, so we just try it all! Still, I truly believe our own “hand” shines through. Sometimes we just don’t see it ourselves, but I see YOU in every one of the above illustrations. And that’s a GOOD thing! :~)
October 12th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Thanks for the out-loud-giggle, I wonder why I’m suddenly feeling so Halloweenish now, not sure, something about the power of suggestion…
I’m with all 3 of you girls…several times I’ve had confused people at my Surtex booth looking through my portfolios asking how many artists I represent because they don’t believe it all came from just 1 of me! I think this is a good thing though, we already know we can’t please all the people all the time, we might as well mix it up and have fun in the process. I may just be dumb but I think it’s good for our businesses to be versatile…and good for our souls too!
I think these are delightful, BTW…and I won’t shake black cats at all your styles if you don’t shake them at mine :o]
October 12th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
HI BJ!!!!
you are truly talented and I love that you can create all kinds of new things in a multitude of styles…your work is always so pleasing and that is all that matters…the fact that you can create so many wonderful pieces in various styles is a bonus!!!
and whether or not you believe it…you do have a style and I can see it in each and every magical piece you create….You are such an inspiration and I feel blessed to have met you !!!
not to mention I love seeing all your cool projects….
Hugs
Diana
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
that cat plate is absolutely darling! and now that i am catching up on blogging, i see i have missed several give-aways, so i will be checking back more often!