There is no be-all-end-all work of art. No definitive statement will be made for all time by any of us, so let’s take things a little easier and give our muses a little space to breathe.
This is one reason why, as I writer, I favor stream-of-consciousness writing practice as a means of priming the pump. It allows me to simply tune in to whatever is wanting to come out of me at any given time. If I completely plan my work out ahead of time, I’m much more likely to be restrained by my own beliefs about what constitutes real art and what doesn’t. Any moments that we reflect upon – not just the “deep” and “serious” existential speculations – contain something universal in human experience anyway.
So then what about this sticky notion that the artist must suffer? It’s long been a cliché, this supposed truism. Addictions, suicidal temperaments, promiscuity, unbalanced behavior, misanthropy…all these things have been expected of the great creators of the human race almost as a matter of course.
It’s impossible to argue against the evidence that so many renowned artists were – or are – going off the rails. But what does pain really mean? It prompts us to seek ways to soothe or heal it. If we burn our hand on a hot stove, the pain is there to tell us to yank our hand away. It is not a negative feeling; it’s a protective measure.
Suffering, then, in the life of an artist is merely the impetus to embark upon the quest. Suffering means that the status quo has become too painful, stifling or debilitating for artists – and so they must find their own way. The fruits of this search are what inspire the rest of us, their audience. Does this mean that our artists are supposed to endure physical and spiritual penury all of their lives? No! The purpose of suffering, again, is to prompt us to learn how to heal or otherwise alleviate it. Artists who die in despair never learned how to redeem themselves with their own art; in the end, they failed to be physicians for themselves in the way that they were for so many of us.
So, in answer to the eternal question “Is it necessary to suffer in order to be an artist?” I would say: “Yes – but only at the onset.” From there, the real creative path for each of us lies in finding our own personal answer, the means to fulfill ourselves without relying upon society’s prescription for reality.
Monthly Archives: September 2011
Questions to Ask a Tattoo Artist Before Getting a Tattoo
If you are thinking of getting a tattoo, take the time to talk with your tattoo artist. During the conversation, make sure to have a list of questions that you would like answered prior to moving forward with your decision. Below are a few questions that you should consider asking:
How long have you been in business? This is important in determining how professional the work will be and what type of reputation the business has. If the tattoo studio is a member of the Better Business Bureau, check out their record to see about any complaints that have been initiated within the previous 36 months.
What are your qualifications? Before you see a doctor, isn’t it important to know that they are qualified? Absolutely. The same is true with a tattoo artist. Even though the two professions are completely different, there are similarities in that both involve the use of needles and both professionals must be knowledgeable in their approach at sterilizing their equipment. An individual’s qualifications and training history will tell you a lot about what to expect.
Do you guarantee your work? If the final image isn’t exactly as you had hoped for, will it be fixed at no charge or what is the process if you are unhappy with the tattoo? Is there any type of refund policy? These are all important in determining service after the sale.
Can I see samples of your work or do you have references? If you want to know about the quality of work, you should always ask for references in any business.
How much will this cost? Before agreeing to a specific tattoo design, you will want to know the full cost involved. Large tattoos can be very costly, but even the smallest design can be expensive if you are on a budget. Do yourself a favor and avoid any surprises – ask about the costs upfront.
How many tattoos have you done? This will give you a good indication of the experience level and how much design work the artist has done.
What is the likelihood of an infection and how may I prevent one from occurring? Every good tattoo artist can provide this information. He/she should be able to tell you what to do to lessen the likelihood of an infection and what to do if you suspect that one may be developing.
Is there anyone who should not get a tattoo, such as someone with certain medical conditions? This is important, especially if you are asking because you have a condition that concerns you. Individuals with thin blood, for instance, may be more cautious about anything that involves breaking the skin or needles. The same is true of individuals with other conditions, which should be addressed prior to agreeing to be tattooed.
If I have a fear of needles, is there any way to help me through the process of getting a tattoo? Don’t feel bad if this is you. A lot of people have a fear of needles, which is a device used in creating tattoos. If you are afraid, it never hurts to explain this to the tattoo artist beforehand so that he/she can try to take extra steps to make you feel at ease or to make the experience a less painful one for you.
How long will the tattooing process take? This is important, especially if you are getting a tattoo on your lunch break. All kidding aside, you will want to know how long to expect the process to take so that you can plan the rest of your day accordingly.
This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Before deciding on getting a tattoo or having one removed, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for medical advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual healthcare needs.
A Biography of Bob Ross the Artist
Bob Ross was a versatile painter and television anchor from America who was born in the year of 1942 on 29th October. Bob’s place of birth was Daytona Beach in Florida. Before he became famous as a painter, he had a long career in American air force for about 20 years.
His posting was mostly in Alaska and he used to take care of the medical services there. After retiring from the air force services he earned huge fame in all over the world for his paintings and television shows.
Bob Ross had an impressive look, which like his paintings appealed a lot to the audience of television. With his afro hairstyle and his composed, gentle voice added up to his worldwide popularity.
He used to host a television show related to art and the name of the show was The Joy of Painting and it is often considered to be the most popular one among the Americans.
In this show he used to teach the viewers how to paint and the techniques and presentation was impressive enough to make the audience stick to the television screen. There were quite a number of kids who used to take their art lesion from Bob Ross through this particular television show.
Some of the paintings that gained huge fame and still remembered by the audience are “pretty little mountains”, “happy little trees” and “happy little clouds”.
He was a strong believer of the fact that each and every person has an artist hidden inside him who can come out if the person is inspired and taught in a correct way. His shows were dubbed in German and they were broadcasted for the popularity among the audience.
He was quite successful as a painter. In fact he started painting when he was posted in Alaska. He discovered a unique technique of painting, which was acclaimed by the art critics of the United States.
This technique is known as the wet-on-wet technique and it involved special method of applying the wet paint on an existing layer of paint that is absolutely different from the conventional methods. He used to paint the darkest clouds and liveliest trees on paper using the simple 1or 2-inch brushes.
But the most interesting fact about bob Ross is that he never received a professional training of making paintings.
At the same time Bob Ross has got some critical comments from the art critics as well as fellow artists. According to them his paintings run short of detailing which is an indispensable part of a good painting. They also say that the paintings of Bob Ross contained a style, which seems artificial.
In fact he also faced embarrassing situations created by the traditional artists who protested against his modern technique of painting. This great persona passed away in the year of 1995 suffering from lymphoma.