TO SHARE OR NOT TO SHARE
that is the question.
I do not 'teach' in the formal sense of the word yet there is always a need that exists within me to enrich the life of others, I make my contributions via internet art forums and groups where there is always an eager group of artists seeking to find themselves and their place in the vast world of art.Today, though not for the first time, I come across the question (for some the dilemma) of sharing newly discovered techniques, this one from an artist prompts this BLOG post
''I would like to pose the question to all of you. I have been doing a great deal of work with alcohol inks, which is a medium that a lot of people are largely unfamiliar with. I have developed my own specific techniques with this medium to get specific effects that I use in my body of work.
Recently I've been getting several inquiries about my process. Part of me is thinking about possibly doing a tutorial video explaining my process, but I'm wondering how you all feel about this. Are some secrets best kept close to the vest, or is it wise to share my ideas with others?''
Art is what we do FOR OURSELVES its purpose however has end users.
Aside that which we do for ourselves a part of being an artist is that there is an end user this answer I pose is not related to selling or Not for Profit end user it is about recognising and acknowledging that which the history of art as well as our peers has GIVEN US to enable our getting to a point of being able to experiment.
I always consider that sharing is a part of our role as artists toward others who seek to find the artist within themselves, is there any difference between 'sharing' and 'teaching', there is a difference of course but it is pedantics for to me they are one of the same.
Where would any of us be but for the techniques passed down from generations of artists as far back as the caves of prehistoric man and the ancient egyptians to name but two.
Of course, we are inventors as well as artists and experimentation is, or at least should be, a part of our process, either as a conscious act or in the sense of subliminal learning from our making of art.
To share with another artist our new found technique or material, colour or shape is a great thing to do and, in that process of sharing we pass something on that may add to the progress of another.
We would all like to be the founder of a new something that will have a positive impact on another human being, in the grander scale, of something that would affect the entire art world and become masters in our own lifetime, Da Vince, Caravaggio, Picasso, the list of such great names is endless but we can not ALL be the next Dali or Einstein, were that the case our value as creators would be as slight as that of a matchbox or an envelope, even without attaining such high stature however we have a role to play, who knows, maybe the next person we share something with will use the information to set them off on a new journey of self discover and escape from whatever it is that ails them, alternatively, it could well be the next Gucci of the future that takes one of our discovered colours and creates an entire range of clothing that will change the nature of street fashion, the truth is that we never know who we are sharing with but at either end of the scale I do feel that we have a duty in some way to share.
Without sharing we also deprive ourselves perhaps of an opportunity that can help us aswell, by sharing we can reach into the wealth of knowledge and experience of others, I would hazard a guess that, no matter how original your idea might be, there will be someone, somewhere in the world or history who has happened upon your idea, perhaps not in the same format, perhaps with a different process or outcome, the possibilities are endless yet without sharing you can not be shared to from others.
I have written enough for this BLOG so, be happy making art and, BE HAPPY SHARING.
