Thomas Lamkin Jr.’s Post

Hi All, I have a new Art Bite Blog Post for your summer reading pleasure and this one is actually interactive! Do you silently cringe, not knowing what to say when someone asks you what your work is about? Have you tried time and again to write an artist statement but don’t know where to begin? I challenge my mentees to read everyday something that is pertinent to their work, but what if you don’t know what books to get? If any of these questions resonated with you, making a Mind-Map will help you. Visit the Art Bite Blog link below to see how mind-mapping can work for you as an artist. https://lnkd.in/e73U-uFR

What role does the artist play as an art critic, and how can explaining the thoughts behind a piece help viewers connect with it? As an artist, I’ve found that creation is deeply intertwined with the release of emotions I may not always be fully aware of. Each brushstroke or sculpted form reflects a piece of my inner world, but when presented to an audience, the complexity of these emotions can make the work seem abstract or enigmatic. Art acts as a bridge between the artist’s inner world and the viewer’s experience, yet this connection is not always obvious. Many viewers either connect on an instinctive level or feel alienated by the ambiguity, often without seeking deeper understanding. This is where the artist’s role as a critic becomes important. By articulating the concepts behind the work, we offer a framework to help guide the viewer toward a more meaningful connection. However, it’s important not to over-explain art, as this can diminish its mystique. A well-placed critique or artist’s statement should invite viewers into the artist’s world while allowing space for personal interpretation. The most impactful art balances what is explained with what is left unsaid, offering both clarity and mystery. Ultimately, presenting art is an invitation to dialogue. By sharing insights into the emotional and conceptual layers of a piece, we foster a deeper connection with the viewer, allowing them to engage with the essence of the creative process. Tashfeen Rizwan visual artist, Art critic and Curator Art #ArtCritic #VisualArt #CreativeIndustry

Arts-based tools are more than just drawing your heart out on a piece of paper. It's more simple and complex at the same time. Let me break it down for you: It's more than drawing. We use: - Rhythm (think percussions) - Movement (think walking, dancing) - Breathwork - Drama (think roleplays with props) - Writing (think journaling) - Sculptures (think working with clay) But it's not as simple as asking you to scribble on a piece of paper. Every activity has to be customised to the context. Here are some questions I ask myself while choosing/creating artistic tools for clients. - What's the objective of the activity? Are we look at expressing your emotions, regulating your emotions, feeling like you belong in a group? - Why the particular tool? What will rhythm give us that visual arts can't? - What are the constraints? Lack of space / time / energy? But at the end of the day, arts-based work is absolutely worthwhile.

Abstract art looks easy, right? But it’s so much harder than it seems. Here are 3 things I’ve learned as an abstract artist: 1. It’s not random.. it takes thought. • Every line and colour has meaning. • It can seem like chaos to some, but it’s carefully planned. 2. It focuses on emotion. •   Abstract art speaks to the soul. •   It connects with people in ways words never could. 3. Mistakes make it better. •   Imperfections add charm and uniqueness. •   Experimenting creates the most surprising results. ♻️ Repost to bring some colours and joy into your LinkedIn feed. What story does my artwork Toy Collection 01 tell you? What do you see?

Have you ever stood in front of a piece of art and wondered what the artist was trying to communicate? Well, that's where an artist statement comes in - it's a written explanation of an artist's work that helps to shed light on their creative process and the ideas behind their art. In this week's newsletter, we'll explore the importance of artist statements and provide some tips for writing your own. https://lnkd.in/dbpAQWTB

⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️ “The PARADIGM of FINE ART TODAY” ✍️ ( excerpt from the book I'm writing) ♦. The idea is circulating more and more that in today's plastic art you have to make a work and then think about what you have done. No premeditation, no minimal training in art. Work and then think. Everyone is an artist today. Nothing matters, what once mattered when you were trained to make fine art. This is how today's artist tries to shock at any cost, thus ending up boring the audience.Thus whipping the sensations of the receiver with such images, he inexorably reaches monotony. Today's artist no longer seems inclined to give pleasure to the recipient, but with satisfaction seems to shocking on the art-loving viewer. The artist of the 21st century is no longer the bohemian of another time who displayed his very being on canvas. We live in aworldoverwhelmed by information, a complicated world where everything is episodic and drifting. It is believed that with the new millennium a new road has opened where abstract art is washed of the genuine spirit and computerized. Therafore, we live the moment when the talent of the author is minimized, there is an abundance of artists - anyone can - who offer the promise of unlimited communication but also of a silent autism. ✅. Instead of a conclusion, what was once a standard of quality and originality has today become a banality. So, the crisis of contemporary art is generated by the lack of an answer to a simple question: - “Are there criteria for aesthetic appreciation?" 🛑. #NOTE :I’m open to any opinion. We all learn from here.

Abstract art looks easy, right? But it’s so much harder than it seems. Here are 3 things I’ve learned as an abstract artist: 1. It’s not random.. it takes thought. • Every line and colour has meaning. • It can seem chaotic to some, but it’s carefully planned. 2. It focuses on emotion. •   Abstract art speaks to the soul. •   It connects with people in ways words never could. 3. Mistakes make it better. •   Imperfections add charm and uniqueness. •   Experimenting creates the most surprising results. ♻️ Repost to bring some colours and joy into your LinkedIn feed. What story does my artwork Toy Collection 01 tell you? What do you see?

Consistency: The Cornerstone of Artistic Practice A single masterpiece may captivate, but a consistent body of work defines an artist. Just as a writer crafts a narrative through repeated strokes, an artist builds a visual language through persistent creation. It's not merely about producing art; it's about cultivating a visual dialogue with the viewer. Sustained engagement, trust, and recognition flourish from a steady artistic output.

Unlike other forms of art, abstract pieces are not bound by literal representation. Instead, they allow for layers of interpretation, meaning and emotion. This freedom makes commissioned abstract art perfect for marking significant moments or expressing complex feelings in a way that words simply cannot. There are many reasons to commission a contemporary artist to create art for your home or office, including: Personalization: You can customize the artwork to reflect your style, vision, and space. Collaboration: You can work with the artist to contribute ideas and provide feedback, which can lead to a deeper connection with the piece. Meaningful artwork: You can ensure the final piece has a personal or symbolic meaning that's important to you. Support for artists: You can give artists a chance to showcase their talent and creativity. Unique investment: Commissioned art can be a valuable investment, especially if the artist becomes well-known or the artwork becomes sought after. Enhanced spaces: Commissioned art can add a touch of creativity and uniqueness to a space. Everyone appreciates recognition and praise for their work. Commissioning a work of art can be great for both collectors and artists, if it is done right. As a collector, it is your chance to be a part of the creative process and bring to life something that you will connect with forever. Because of the length of time it takes to make a commissioned piece I personally only take on a few projects a year and once completed they are always worth more than I charge for them. If you like my abstract collections now is the time to book me as of January 1 I take on very few additional commissions.

Quotes that every creative should read 👇 ⚡️“The work you do as an artist is really play, but it is play in the most serious sense… You are materializing - taking something from the inside and putting it out into the world so you can be relieved of it.” - Leslie Dick ⚡️”Art comes out of failure” - John Baldessari ⚡️[on going to art school] “Whatever you thought was certain about how to make art is dismantled. You wobble. You don’t make any sense at all. That’s why you are here.” - Leslie Dick ⚡️When artists are put on the spot, it helps them “develop thick skins and come to see criticism as rhetoric rather than a personal attack.” - William E. Jones ⚡️“Criticality is a strategy for the production of knowledge” - Charles Gaines ⚡️“You have to have a mysterious blend of complete commitment to your decisions and total openness to reconsider everything. There is no point in being too brazen.” - Fiona Kahlo ⚡️“Talent is a double edged sword. What you are given is not really yours. What you work at, what you struggle for, what you have to take command of - that often makes for very good art.” - Paul Schimmel 📌 All from ‘Seven Days In The Art World’ by Sarah Thornton: Chapter 2 ‘The Crit’ #Artist #Creative #ArtBook #ArtistAdvice