I’ll admit it: sometimes, I’m a snob.
What prompted this thought? The other day, someone creative referred to another creative person as “extremely talented”, so I checked out their work, of course. I’m always on the hunt for fabulous new art/craft/design, right? I was disappointed. The new work was nice, it was pleasant, it was well-made, and someone will buy it. But really, it wasn’t special. It wasn’t that ‘grab-you-by-the-throat’ goodness that makes you swoon a little.
My immediate reaction was, I’m sick to death of people saying things are amazing when they’re not really. By all means say they’re lovely, say they’re cute, say they’re beautiful, but not ‘a-MAZ-ing’. I pondered my reaction for a while. Why are we using these words?
Are we devaluing skill and artistry in this renaissance age of handcrafted?
It’s a wonderful time for all of us who appreciate handmade. For makers, it’s so easy to make things – there are a plethora of DIY, How-Tos and You-Tubes on just about anything you care to mention, and technology has given us easy access and tools. But this has led to a rash output of stuff that, quite frankly, is not that good.
So my NEXT thought was, have we lost our understanding of quality?
Part of the problem comes from folk who DON’T try. Because they don’t do, they don’t understand that ALL of us are able to produce beautiful things, if we just try a little harder. I’ll say it again – we are all capable of making things and creating beauty. So when those who don’t make stuff see someone who does something, they call them ‘talented’. I wouldn’t. I would call them courageous, engaged, connected, but not especially talented.
It’s important to encourage each other, to build each other up, to congratulate each other on our achievements. But do we need to change our language? It’s a big grey area that should be teased apart a little.
For the folk that DO have a go, another part of the problem comes from results-driven DIY. So many instructions for doing and making out there! but a great deal of this information is about quick solutions and short cuts, with the focus on end results.
Where does that leave highly skilled craft?
There are truly skilled people out there, with years, sometimes decades of dedicated experience in their chosen field. (And it’s true, there are some exceptionally talented people who switch into these skills a whole lot quicker than most.) Utter familiarity with materials and their processes gives rise to both delicate nuance and to virtuosity in the maker’s work. Such skill and care is appreciated by other seasoned makers who recognise the hallmarks of years of practice. Peter Dormer, author of the seminal The Art of the Maker said
“a carefully made object carries with it the record of how much its maker valued the work.”
The work itself reveals all those years of trying, of experiments and failures. It’s the heart and soul of the maker on display.
Artistic vision is necessary, but not enough on its own – vision and expertise work best when they’re used together. Craft expertise gained through long years of practice allows the maker to fully explore an idea to get to the best solution; skill adds depth, meaning and substance to an object.
I don’t think I’m really being a snob. There IS a place for DIY, there is a place for using our skills to make handmade to sell and swap, instead of relying on lots of mass-produced goods. I want more people to make things! But I am also asking people to hone those skills. I am asking people to experiment, to fail, to learn, to reach higher. The more we use our skills, the better we get at doing stuff ourselves. The more we work at our skills and vision, the more we value just what it is that we are capable of. And, the more we value those that are truly gifted.
We need to re-connect with what we are capable of.
I want people to do. I want people to ASPIRE. I want people to put in the hard yards. There IS no shortcut, skill is a beautiful thing, and I want people to recognise it for what it is.
*
Do you agree that there is a great lot of poor quality work out there? Is the DIY movement a good thing? How do you think we can help lift people up and improve their skills?
When you look back at your own work from a few years ago, do you think that your ideas and skills have progressed? Have those years of practice changed the way you view things? Or do you look back at stuff you haven’t touched for years and know that your skills are way behind where they were then?
SO many questions, and I would love your thoughts! Feel free to leave links to your own work below, or to others whose work you admire.
Well put. Same might be said as what is considered art today?
Jan, that’s ALWAYS a classic question! It’s the eternal struggle between the artist’s intentions and the audience’s perceptions. And yes, the artist’s skill is up for scrutiny here as well.
So well put (can I say ‘amazingly’ put?!). You have absolutely hit the nail on the head for me on two accounts: 1) Amongst all the ‘go on, have a try, make something’ enthusiasm we forget that we all have different talents and skills, and we’re going suck at some things; and 2) Sometimes we undervalue the years and years of work, the sleepless nights, the constant experimentation that the truly talented, the truly skilled have invested in their craft.
I’m a craft dabbler, I love making stuff and I love learning how to make stuff. But I know it’s just that. The stuff I make is fun and nice, but it’s not ‘amazing’. And that’s okay! I find I’m constantly having advice and blog posts pushed at me that talk about not letting fear get in the way, and about embracing yourself as an artist/photographer/business owner (if you don’t call yourself one no one else will, etc). But sometimes it’s not fear stopping us, sometimes it’s respect for those who are truly talented or who have already put in the hard yards. I’ll put a label on myself when I feel I’ve learnt the skills and technique, and am producing the product, that warrants it.
Thanks for starting this discussion, you’ve clarified for me so many half-thought ideas that have been floating about my head for awhile!
haha Emily, I DEFINITELY suck at many things! But that’s perfectly OK, I have a go, and enjoy the experience. And the experience makes me more fully realise how talented some others are.
(I’ve still got lots more of half-baked ideas in my head too…) Thanks for joining in the discussion. 🙂
This is an interesting read, Julie. Great topic for discussion.
I do agree that certain terms such as ‘awesome’ and ‘talented’ are overused (I am guilty of it at times). A lot of people commented that my handmade items are unique and I am such a talented person. As much I love to receive compliments (gives me the encouragement to do better) I know that I am nowhere near as talented as some of the other handmade artisans that I stumbled upon throughout my creative journey. I accept the fact that the person is trying to say something nice about my work and I sincerely appreciate it.
I do love making stuff (yes I call my work as “making stuff”) and it makes me happy that someone likes it enough to pay me for it. It will be a long time before I can call myself ‘talented’ (not sure if I will ever reach that level). Meanwhile I hope that all those who bought one of my stuff (and who may not think it is the most awesome thing on earth because frankly there are a lot more awesome-r stuff out there) will know for a fact that a little support to a handmade seller is all it takes to make this world a little happier.
x C
Yep Cassie, I am guilty of it too! Perhaps part of the problem is our reliance on the written word (& those words are often fairly brief with social media), and we sometimes struggle for words to describe how we feel about things? So we fall back on these easy words that get slung about everywhere, every day.
Acceptance of people’s admiration is a lovely thing – it is a gift from them to you, and yes! makes for a happier world.
Enjoy the journey x
Agree with you entirely.
Great post Julie – it’s an interesting topic that I think about a lot as I pursue my own artistic business. It’s a constant juggling act to stay self employed as an artist, retaining ones artistic integrity and values whilst trying to pull in a decent living working craft markets and Etsy…. I have made and sold products that I don’t really believe in or that don’t require much skill in the past simply to make the rent, and although I admit it’s far from ideal I do see it as part of the process of working toward being able to support myself (and my family) through my art. It’s a funny journey though, and an ever-evolving one as I hone my own craft and thinking on such things – thanks for writing this, it’s an excellent discussion for us makers to have! x
Thanks Jen. I know there are huge grey areas, and yes, it’s fine to be idealistic, but it’s another thing entirely when you have to feed your family. I’m not intending to knock the middle ground, but trying to get folks to strive harder and stop going for the lowest common denominator. I think if we keep striving, the middle ground eventually increases in quality. I’m being optimistic I know, but yay for hope!
I recently posted my irritation over the excessive use of the word “genius” to describe recycled reuse or DIY procedures. While some stuff is truly inventive, I think it is a long way off from genius. While I enjoy my craft I know there are many who have skills far beyond mine that I do hope to obtain one day! But we live in a time where we expect immediate satisfaction and benefit without the effort. Great article, thank you.
Immediate satisfaction is definitely a key driver. Fortunately, not everyone is so easily pleased, and there are still many who are prepared to work. We’ll show’em!
Lately i have been waking up reminded of a talk i once heard of a woman and artist i greatly admire who said. “To whom much is given much is expected!” It really applies to more than just art or craft but life, why not do it brilliantly, as you pointed out it is absolutely within our power, just takes more of us…
Well said Jules x
Thanks Mime x
Even within ones own creations, I find I look back on work from some of my past work and think…. “really? what was I thinking?!?!?!” Obviously I thought it was great at the time, but looking back I cringe a little. But there are also those pieces that were that little bit inspired – some sort of magic in the universe trickled down into my hands and created a beautiful piece.
Great opinion piece 🙂
thanks so much! yes, there are few pieces from my student days that I still approve of – magic does happen to us sometimes, the trick is to recognise it and build on it, and this happens easiest and most effectively through working consistently 🙂
Hmmm. This is certainly food for thought Julie.
I love that you said ‘grab-you-by-the-throat’ goodness that makes you swoon a little.’ What a perfect description of an emotional response to innovation. Replication or just pinching stuff from places like pinterest and tweeking it a little but claiming it for ones own, for the sake of churning out a product to rake in the cash just doesn’t seem to do it for me either on a jugular level. I remember once taking two years to perfect the art of papier mache which resulted in an array of bowls of various sizes exploding with colour, ready for an exhibition, so well ‘finished’ they were almost fully washable. I then took to telling people I would have to shoot them if I handed over the secret! I do move from one craft to another because it’s a long lifetime and I am a Gemini capable of many things, but I don’t like to leave one thing until I feel I am done with it and am led to express myself in a new way.
haha! excellent call on the papier mache 🙂 Do you feel then that you could revisit said papier mache and combine with another skill to create innovative works? or do you think you are done with exploration?