Famous Artist's Quotes

"Creativity takes courage." - Henri Matisse.

While this may sound like a dramatic statement, it actually contains a lot of wisdom. Not all great works of art have to have tremendous meaning attached to them, but the ones that do truly stand out!

If you think about some of the greatest films to date, they are likely to have a thread of truth, insight, and memorable dialogue. In addition, they often strike a chord with a particular culture or audience and put words and emotions to experiences deep within our subconscious.

Furthermore, creativity is not always encouraged, especially outside of profit-driven environments. "Standing out" isn't always socially acceptable, but it's important to let your inner voice shine through your art! Just remember to remain authentically you in the process. It takes a lot of bravery to tell a story as you see fit; most things worth saying aren't well-received historically. 

"The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel." - Piet Mondrian.

Allowing the mind to wander aids creativity. 

Some of the world's most creative ideas have come while performing menial tasks or during moments of solitude. History is full of these 'eureka' moments, from historical figures such as Isaac Newton to artists like Leonardo da Vinci.

"The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity." - Alberto Giacometti.

The job of an artist is not to simply replicate what already exists. On the contrary, it is precisely the opposite. 

Artists are meant to capture the essence of something, whether it be a fabrication of the mind or something materially present. What keeps people interested is not the thing itself but the artist's take or perspective of that particular thing.

The medium of photography is a clear demonstration of this. A great photographer can look at ordinary objects from everyday life and produce a beautiful scene or tell a story in a single frame. The photographer's eye or conscious awareness allows them to create artistic work reliably.

The lesson here is that you can have any perspective you wish; just make sure you have one.

"Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it." - Salvador Dali.

Even the great surrealist Salvador Dali felt like perfection was unattainable!

Learn to enjoy the process and let go of your attachments to any particular outcome. The more present you are, the better you will feel. Furthermore, the better you feel, the more energy you have to direct your thoughts in a beneficial way for your life inside and outside of making art!

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." – Pablo Picasso.

Don't let the world tell you that you are not an artist. Furthermore, don't allow your inner thoughts to persuade you that you are not creative. 

Being creative is a condition of the human mind. We are all born with a deep sense of wonder and imagination. The goal is never to lose sight of that childlike curiosity you once had.

If you feel robbed of this joy, simply tune in with yourself and nature. Nature is the ultimate teacher and provides endless amounts of material to ponder!

‍

_{Photo by Jean Carlo Emer on Unsplash}