Being an artist, like many other professions, opens up to an interesting question on the choices one faces, e.g., Sculpting vs. Painting, Oil painting vs. Water colors vs. Pencil drawing, etc., or perhaps a little bit of all of them.
There is, of course, no answer to what people will choose in the end, it is their individual preference that will influence their decision. However, I would like to delve a bit deeper as to once our artist decides which medium to call their own – what would be their subject matter or perhaps their subjects (plural).
Through the years and after visiting a myriad of museums, galleries, and exhibitions, we many times observe a painting, or any other work of art, and immediately we can tell who the artist is due to their unique painting style, and/or genre of choice, and/or use of colors. I have visited the art web pages of many artists to see that they focus on one subject matter and very little on other genres. Again, there is no right or wrong if one chooses one or the other. But I would like to provide my own “Two cents worth” to this topic.
Looking at my website, one can see that I have differentiated between my subject matters, by creating categories or albums: Equine, Figurative, Still life, Scapes, and Boats Are they distinct one from the other, or are they all something of me? I believe the latter is more representative of myself.
I love horses, and I have painted quite a few in my time. However, it is always their eye(s) that are special and require the most attention to capture. In essence, they are the window to their souls.
Figurative painting brings out the facial expressions, the smile and twinkle in eyes, the connections and relationships between the subjects, and of course the anatomy of the ever-changing body between relaxed and when exerting an effort.
Land and Sea Scapes – capturing what nature has in its endless beauty and power like a storm or rough sea or pleasant beach.
Still life is unique, as it allows you to “bring them to life”, and to connect some interpretive thread between them.
I believe that keeping oneself “open” to multiple genres of art is worthwhile and provides a robust and diverse insight to living and dormant subject matters. For me different genres require different approaches to the painting and different implementations of painting techniques.
I have heard some artists advocate in favor of the single genre option, that “multiple genres may indicate that the artist has not found their ‘true’ specialty”. I find this to be nothing but discouraging, and as I mentioned before, there is no right or wrong, but if artists only paint in one genre, maybe they should try their hand at adding to their repertoire. They might be pleasantly surprised.
Sharon Matisoff says
This is simply fabulous!
Rush Cole says
The only “advice” I listen to when contemplating what subject matter to depict is what comes straight from my heart. If my “expert” heart isn’t in the art, then it’s not worth doing, anyway. Picasso was well aware of this truism and he stayed fresh by changing up his subjects and style frequently.
Of course, the “critiques” finally resolved their inner dilemmas as to how to adequately describe such a successful rebel’s art by creating categories for it, such as “Blue Period”, lol! He outfoxed them all and is one of my heroes.
Kathryn Trillas says
Baloney! I paint, oil & W/C, as well as draw in several mediums. And I don’t need to Specialize, because my work is good in anything I present. The “Presented” works that I show are rather good. If an artist wants to just work in one, or two mediums, and that’s what makes them happy and satisfied, go for it. But Requiring one to stick to just one medium, ie. oil, is a waste of talent, skill, and a voice. I think the Art Historian field has influenced some Artists to think that the medium they toute is the highest level to achieve. Frankly, all mediums give Artist the freedom to express what they see and feel. Dipping one’s hand into another medium is an experience, adventure, and expanding one’s skills. Just like moving from Landscape, to Seascape, Portraiture, and Abstraction. We need freedom to express. And if it’s “damn good” to the creater and they put it out there, it’s bloody lame to diss a work, because it’s “not” their Principal medium.
Lee Alban says
I have always painted various subject matter. It is a blessing and a curse. First, I can help my students no matter what they want to paint and I can fill any request should an opportunity come along. But, galleries usually don’t want to feature the artist. They want you to just paint landscapes, or be their portrait guy, or still life, etc. That makes it harder to get in a gallery. I was offered representation from Manitou Gallery IF I was still painting toy still lifes. But I had moved on to other projects. They didn’t want to feature the artist, they wanted to fill a niche. I would shoot myself if I had to paint just one thing over and over.
Yvonne Todd says
I have to agree especially when it comes to medium. It is counterproductive to expect an artist to only rely on one medium such as oil when the subject matter can be represented in other ways just as well or better. The same on subject matter. You paint what you are attracted to. If that is only one or two things – fine. There shouldn’t be any rules about subject matter or medium.
Laura Saxon says
Great topic! We are all different. I decided at an early age that I wanted to learn how to paint everything. And I loved all forms of art. So I have done both of those things. I’ve settled on Drawing and Painting in different mediums. And I didn’t want to be pegged as a “Portrait Painter” and be stuck with doing only portraits. It turns out that I prefer Indirect Painting in Oils. And drawing in Charcoal ot Graphite. But I also paint in other mediums. I just taught a workshop in Acrylic Landscapes and everyone did beautiful work. And now I’m beginning to add Pastels to my Charcoal Portraits. That keeps it interesting for me! My Collectors have been asking for more Portraits lately, and I’ve been doing them. But I still paint what inspires me too! I can do both!
Laura Fischer Saxon says
Great topic! We are all different. I decided at an early age that I wanted to learn how to paint everything. And I loved all forms of art. So I have done both of those things. I’ve settled on Drawing and Painting in different mediums. And I didn’t want to be pegged as a “Portrait Painter” and be stuck with doing only portraits. It turns out that I prefer Indirect Painting in Oils. And drawing in Charcoal ot Graphite. But I also paint in other mediums. I just taught a workshop in Acrylic Landscapes and everyone did beautiful work. And now I’m beginning to add Pastels to my Charcoal Portraits. That keeps it interesting for me! My Collectors have been asking for more Portraits lately, and I’ve been doing them. But I still paint what inspires me too! I can do both!
Nikki Davidson says
Hi There, I loved this column! I’ve been painting and teaching for over 50 years and I love all genres and enjoy multiple mediums. I’ve heard the argument many times about sticking to one subject and for me that’s torture so I don’t.
Arctic Swan says
Thank you, Naomi, for this more ‘adult’, mature way of viewing multiple or single genres in painting. Nothing in life is ever black or white, for or against, good or bad, etc. Limiting oneself, in general, shows nothing but narrow-mindedness and unwillingness to step out of your comfort zone. As if once you’re an established artist, you should just stick to the one thing that draws attention and sells. I always felt such an attitude to stifle creativity. I paint portraits and landscapes, particularly mountains, streams, and lakes, but I delve into still life once in a while even if I’m not fond of them simply because it opens up my curiosity and goads me technically.
naomi shachar says
Dear all,
I read all responses to date. Seems like the responses are in favor of the multi-discipline and genre and material approach.
My intent was to raise this issue and as I wrote there is no “right” and “wrong” I just find it so helpful in so many ways some mentioned in your responses, so “Carry On” and do what makes you most happy to create!
Naomi