When looking at a work of art, we often experience a sense of awe. But everyone has their own interpretations of art and the function it brings into their lives.
For me—a digital artist—art is a way of expressing words that I am not able to speak. It has always been a form of expression that brings joy and peace into my life. It took me a long time to finally find my style as a digital artist; the journey included paper drawings, discovering computer graphics, and examining the role that it plays in my mind and how I can visually deliver that to the world with meaning.
Through minimalism, I was able to understand my style of art. After college, I began to hoard over 400 different artists’ works on my computer—numerous files containing different styles that I wish I could emulate. There were so many ways of designing that I dabbled in everything I could put my hands on. After spending years with digital clutter and looking back at my body of work, I soon realized that I had no identity in the world of art and no intentional message. I immediately took a hiatus from everything and everyone to find myself and understand the function I wanted art to play in my world.
During my hiatus, I deleted the digital clutter that I had struggled to let go of. I had been attached to other artists’ identities and was scared of where I would find my inspiration. I took time away from designing and began journaling about my fears, what inspired me, and what I wanted to achieve through my work. After finding myself again, and starting on an empty canvas, it felt amazing to pull from my own imagination and get excited again.
This process involves simplification and zeroing in on that aspect of art that is truly important to you. It’s not always straightforward, as every person experiences their style differently. But by making small intentional changes, your style will surely find you.
For the searching artist, a great way to begin the process is to first eliminate distractions and find a quiet space to sit in silence. Think about the first time you got completely excited when you experienced a certain form of art. Where was it and how did it make you feel? Since that encounter, think about how you’ve slowly begun to bring that form of art into your life. What purpose is it bringing to you and how is it beginning to shape your world? Once you start to take time out for yourself to live fully in your imagination, get excited about what excites you, and dance with that type of art, you will find your focus.
Creating mental stability is the key to jumping into a flow state with art. There is beauty in patience and in minimizing what does not serve you—together, they will help you learn and create what speaks to your soul. Through this, you can take your gift as an artist to the next level.