My first impression of Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland is that it has a very long title and a cheesy, low-end graphic design cover that makes me think: “These people know about art?” I soon find that the very first paragraph relates to the frustration I feel making art, and I dismiss my first impressions of the book. The first sentence is simple and true, “Making art is difficult” (1). Some non-artists don’t understand this easy concept, and it is especially hurtful when being criticized about going to college for art. Even more satisfying to read is, “Often the work we have not done seems more real in our minds than the pieces we have completed” (1). I dream about paintings I have yet to make. I plan pieces that never get executed. Reading on, I am interested in the brief but relevant reference to the history of art. The authors hypothesize that artists in history must have doubted themselves less because their creative endeavors were seen as the service of God. The authors also accurately describe how equating art with “self-expression” is a modern concept that may not benefit artists because of the pressure and dissatisfaction that inevitably arises henceforth. I had never thought of it like that.
Each chapter begins with a non-cheesy quote. One of my favorites is from Stephen DeStaebler: “Artists don’t get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the paint of not working” (9). It is intimidating to explain to teachers and peers why I simply cannot spend time in my studio every day. I need to let my work settle, think about it, and reattempt it when I am motivated enough to do so. This relates to something the authors mention in the first chapter: what matters to the viewers is the product. What matters to the artist is the process. I see this a lot with my work.
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