[Woodcarver] continuation of art/creativity/expert...

[sally nye]

I beg our list owner's kind permission to allow me to further this 
thread.  I am on a "sorting" out mission of this topic.

Thank you to all who responded, Maricha, Dan, Dick, Ivan, Joe, Ralph, 
cynda, David, Tom, Merrilee and anyone else I may have inadvertently 
omitted.  You've all said thoughtful comments in various ways.  I 
appreciate your answers.  I've learned a lot.

To add to the left/right brain functions.  There was a study done of 
book readers vs. TV watchers.  The book readers used regions of the 
brain to bring forth the imaginary settings of the book such as color, 
smell, village settings, people, etc.  They visualized the book in 
their minds.  The TV watchers had nothing to imagine because it was all 
there for them.  That part of their brain was not being developed in 
the best manner.

Another comment comes to mind.  I was born in 1945 so we all just "got 
along" in our country school setting.  There was some "creative" 
children that the teacher had to work with.  In today's world those 
children would have a "label" and probably some medication from the 
family Dr. to help them fit in with society.

Now back to the subject line.  I would like to clarify that this topic 
is not so much about me.  I am very comfortable where I am in my life.  
David and I are mainly historians and truly love what we do.  
Fan-carving is a perfect niche for us.

I have never had an art class and am trying to understand how an artist 
thinks/works.  I understand they we are all individuals and as diverse 
as the universe.  Also, applying rules to artists is like trying to 
herd cats.

There was a second part of my original question:
"To further this line, I  know people who call themselves artists and 
they have a "huge" amount of confidence in every medium they try.  They 
do one or two items in that new found medium and proclaim themselves an 
"expert."  Their work is less than elementary but they are so proud.  
Where does that come from?  Are they born with a degree of that 
confidence and is it developed through time?" (Let me say I do admire 
their self-confidence)

For instance, I have seen a life long painter complete a "realistic" 
painting of three white tail deer.  It was a glob of brown paint with 
three deer heads protruding from it.  There were no individual bodies.  
She was so pleased with her accomplishment that she kept her paint rags 
thinking they were of great value and would be in demand.   Where does 
the sense of accomplishment...completion..."I have arrived" come from?

Did (do) the great artists like Leonardo, Michelangelo, El Greco, 
Monet,  Ivan, Joe, Bill Judt, etc. get to the point that they "have 
arrived?"  There is nothing else to learn?

Thank you for your answers and thank you Bill, for allowing me to sort 
this out.  I hope some answers will come forth.  I promise I will jump 
down now.

BTW, Cynda, Doug gave you some good advice in an earlier post.  People 
come and go on this list.  Don't take it personally.  Our leader is 
steady at the helm.  If anyone abuses the list or each other, he will 
very kindly and gently handle the situation.  You will see this is the 
best list to be a part of.

Sally
http://www.fancarversworld.com