Style Takes Miles
Style: I would define style as an amalgamation of four things Habits built over time to tackle the technical aspects of art. A lot of times these habits are subliminal and hard to recognize until you take a step back and take in your entire body of work. Taste we as painters are all influenced by artist and styles this will creep into our work and help direct us. I think the pursuit to be unique and original is frivolous and a bit silly. Art is built on the knowledge of those that came before us we are just adding our stone to the top of Everest. so there is nothing wrong with being inspired by those that came before us. It is important to make the distinction that we use the past works as a tool to hone our style and not as a template in which we just copy. The third thing I think that is needed to develop a good style And in my opinion the most important is Time. What time does is allow you to drop bad Habits while nurturing good one. It also allows you to develop good taste as well as spot potential decisions that will leave a bad taste in your mouth. But the most important it allows you to put in the miles, hours, work. it allows you to develop the muscle memory. the more miles you put in the more of a well oiled machine you become. once you have become this well oiled machine you reach level ten, get your final boy scout pin, unlock the treasure chest and inside is the last gem in the style crown Finesse! this is what sets apart the boys from the men. its the white highlight you drop in that changes the entire painting. it is the woodworker that does a dove tail joint like he is tying his shoes, it’s Jordan at the buzzer. It is being comfortable in the chaos, in things that would terrify other artist. Think of your favorite living artist and how effortless it looks when they work. If you are wondering how they got there, It is because they are working harder then anyone, putting in the time, always trying to get better. Not giving a fuck about some 10,000 hour rule and being addicted to the grind!
Left: high school sketchbook
Right: current day painting on paper