ideas: manifesto, musings and such

my artist's manifesto

visual arts philosophy

free advice to students and emerging artists

Gerzabek
Artist
Gallery

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Background
Having worked as a professional architect, I tend to focus on the most significant aspects of the job at hand and try to assess what are the essential features of a visual experience, consequently I tend to favour abstraction and minimalism .  All unnecessary detail is eliminated and only the important and significant is captured and emphasized.

Never compete with the camera
Technical perfection in reproducing what our eyes see is a similar process to a composer trying to reproduce the natural sounds heard in Nature.  As a visual artist, I am only interested in creating images which express my subjective response to places, feelings and try to capture of ‘being there’.

Venture beyond the comfort zone
Many artists settle on a successful style and never move beyond this safe comfort zone.  All their work is much the same even when they introduce small variations to the 'blueprint' they follow.  I much prefer variety and revel in the excitement of discovering new ways, accidents and untried techniques.  I love experimenting with new approaches and accept and make the best of unintended accidents.

The seduction of abstraction
Competent abstract artists use similar principles to composers of music -- balanced compositions, harmony, contrast, tension, counterpoint, colour, tone, texture, rhythm and so on.  Our objectives are the same: create an interesting mood, arouse a feeling, stir some emotions.

Focus on the happy side of life
I love using bright, cheerful ‘Aussie’ colours and to express the thrill of being alive.  I concentrate on creating happy and cheerful images, that give a pleasant sensation to the viewer.

As an artist my goal is achieved when people tell me that my artworks speak to them, when my creations touch their hearts and also lift their spirits.

I aim to create artworks which celebrate Nature, nurture the human spirit and provide stimulation and enjoyment to our lives.  I believe that people need more than the simple necessities of food, shelter and security.

We should also satisfy our intellectual curiosity, fulfil our aspirations and nurture our spiritual and emotional wellbeing.

So we need to rise above the humdrum, the ordinary and the daily grind of survival.  This is where the arts provide a relief.  Encounter with literature, music, theatre and fine arts provides great opportunities if we want to satisfy our creative urges.  At the same time we are rewarded with lasting enjoyment and satisfaction.

• Do not merely become an illustrator relying mainly on technique and perfect reproduction of surface appearances.  Why not express your creative vision by using your original thoughts, imagination and heart.

• since very few artists can produce photographic perfection, I don’t waste my energy trying to compete with the camera.  Brilliant photographers can capture such images with a fraction of the effort.

• Emphasise what you are naturally good at; avoid struggling with the very difficult or impossible.  Find your niche and comfort zone and enjoy being there, build your confidence, then step by step enter the more difficult areas.

• However, it is necessary to escape your comfort zone time to time; try something completely new.  Unfamiliar challenges will set free your mind and energize your creativity.

• Having fun by experimentation is better for your spirit than resolute chasing of perfection by hard effort.  Masterpieces are just as likely to materialize through controlled accidents and cheerful experimentation.

• So, welcome mistakes and accidents, often they lead to unexpected revelations and unanticipated possibilities.

• Do not dismiss art vastly which is different from yours, you can learn from other styles, approaches and methods.