Don't know what kind of artist I am

[Jason Windsor]

I'm completely paralysed creatively. I have been for several years. I just don't know what kind of art I'm supposed to be making. If I work on animation or videogame concepts I wonder if people would ever take my art seriously or think it was the artwork of "nerds." I worry that people will think that's not art or selling out. I find myself wondering what avant garde bands like Radiohead would think of the artwork of Ghost in the Shell for example because they are in the "serious" art camp with their music. I like music that has high cultural value and yet I also like the artwork of a game like Grand Theft Auto IV. It's pretty confusing as an artist, I wonder if I should be making boho graphic designs and websites and intellectual fine arts pieces but at the same time I like sci fi and pop culture. It's gotten so bad to the point I haven't been able to work on art of any kind for at least 8 months because I don't know what I'm supposed to be making or even what I want to make. I don't know if I want to be an animator or a game designer or a web designer or a painter or a graphic designer and I wonder what the world would respect more.

[Jie Kageshinzo]

Way I see it, you're afraid of what the world thinks about your art. I say, screw them. Do what you want; if it makes you happy, that's all that matters. 'sides, I'm sure you're not the only one who likes whatever art style you like. It doesn't matter if you are particularly fond of making artworks of pigs in ballerina tutus, I'm sure someone else out there will find it great, too.

Point is you shouldn't force yourself into doing what you don't want to do; it will just kill your creative drive. Unless you're a professional doing a commission for someone, there really isn't any reason why you should let the world kill your desire to draw what you want. Heck, I'm partial to manga/anime and I know how that style is (mostly) panned here, but I keep at it because it is what I love doing.

[saa]

I think I know what you mean. Hear an example. My parents are both classical musicians (pianist and conductor) and at the same time they enjoy any other genre of music (no matter how "intellectual" it is). My father who conducts operas used to play keyboard in a band when he was young. Don't be so hard on yourself. There is no right or wrong thing to do in that respect.

If you have the will to do concept art or graphic design or whatever then do so. At least do something.

[greenbears]

you're worrying too much about what other people think. Forget about what you think you should be doing and just do what you *want* to do. Draw and paint for you, not for anyone else, otherwise you'll just start to hate it and probably quit in the end.

While you're learning, play and experiment with a lot of different things. It's good for an artist to be diverse. Maybe you'll end up doing concept art as well as fine art? it's entirely possible!

[cmalidore]

Ever watch The Last Samurai?

"Too many mind"

What you want to draw shouldn't have to be what other people want you to draw. You got too many minds happening there. You're not SUPPOSED to make anything - just do what comes natural and see where it takes you. The worst that happens is you don't like it and you learn something new about yourself. The biggest fault to be made here is to not draw ANYTHING when you obviously have many influences to draw upon. That's perfect drawing fuel. It just needs to be channeled positively and for yourself.

[Jason Windsor]

Thanks. Really great advice. I think to narrow it down, basically I worry that my art should be culturally relevant/enriching or whatever. That's why I mentioned Radiohead, the art they make is "epic" or "life changing" or "intellectual." Basically enriching human culture, that sort of old song and dance bable we all hear.

I guess I'm asking that all art hasn't got to be this way? I guess even pop art can be smart art, that's why I mentioned Ghost in the Shell.

Do what I want? I can do that... but now I'm wondering how to "know" what I want...

[Viridis]

Oh, hell. Just do whatever you feel like. You're freaking out way too much over this, thinking too hard. No wonder your creativity's been squashed.

Do whatever you feel like. If you wanna do video game stuff, do video game stuff. If you wanna go paint plein air landscapes or something, go paint plein air landscapes. Whatever makes you happy. Whatever captures your imagination and makes you excited to be painting. Don't think yet about whether people are going to like it or if it's intellectual or great cultural material or any of that. Honestly, it doesn't matter. (Although if you're wigging out this much, I'm not sure I would suggest a career as an artist, as it will only get worse.) If you want a simile, think of Neil Gaiman. He's a fantastic writer. But he doesn't stick to just one thing. He's written poems, short stories, scripts, screenplays, children's books, novels, comics. His genres cover fantasy, dark fantasy, horror, sci-fi, fairy tales, and even some slightly-twisted reality. You don't have to pick one thing to be a good artist. (And you don't always have to be a good artist to be well known, look at Thomas Kinkaide). So just do what you enjoy.

[Farvus]

Yeah. I have that thought once in a while maybe beacause my interests are on that edge between typical sci-fi, fantasy stuff and something more from high culture. Usually I just try to draw what's fun at the moment and I don't justify it afterwards.
I think you answered the problem yourself. Pop-art can be smart. You can try both or try to mix it together into something.

[Quixotic]

Also note that fantasy and sci-fi can BE enriching to society, Sci-fi especially has be the inspiration for many real scientists. You are at an ADVANTAGE if you pull your influences together and create. Fancy "high culture" art has been done before, bring something NEW to the table!!

[Jason Windsor]

Okay, I'll just do what comes naturally.

[arttorney]

You could envision a science fiction culture and then paint the fine art that culture would enjoy. That might be a way of taking a next step beyond.

Somebody has to take a step beyond, or we are just a bunch of copyists cranking out piece after piece of derivative concept art in low chroma analogous color schemes featuring sepia, gray, or purple with lots of windows and pointy stuff off in the distance.

Did I just say that out loud?

[Black Spot]

I wouldn’t say that Radiohead are avant garde, just a bit boring with the occasional reasonable rift. Next week it could be someone else. Who cares what their opinion is/will be – they may be old hat by the time you’ve made your mind up.

Compartmentalise your art into the different aspects and then say, “Today I will animate” or “Today I will do some graphics” etc etc. Eventually you will prefer to do more of one than the other and you’ve found what you’re looking for. What’s to lose? You’re using the same skills on all of them and hopefully improving.

[Leigh Barrett]

Dude...... Just be you & create. That my friend is what you should do. Once the work is done & you are ready to have it viewed by the world, then you need to stay strong on your love for it. Art is free! Free for every one, the artist is as free to create as the critic is to hate it. There are two things you need to let go of. 1) Your own views that stop you creating. 2) The views of others. Just let them have their view & respect that they are free to have one. You don't have to be affected by it!! ;)

[Ian Mack]

I've just beenr eading soemthing that I think applies to this.

TO be creative you have to open to new experiences. You have to have a wide range of interests and most importantly, you have to have conviction. If you don't believe in yourself then there is no use in doing anything because it will be false.

So what are your convictions? The beliefs that you hold most strongly? The beliefs that you don't care if someone disagrees with, you're still going to hold it anyway.

Now, if your work is for fun. DO whatever the Hell you want. Give yourself an animation project. If you want to get work as an artist you have to go about it a little differently. Look at the climate, find out what people are looking for and target your portfolio to those who share your convictions. or to those who you think could benefit from your convictions though they may not agree. :)