For the last year and a half I've been averaging about two artistic identity crises a week, and let me tell you, its not easy. Having an artistic identity crisis is not as fun as it sounds. I'm exhausted.
I'm not exactly sure what the problem is. I know part of it is that I feel like my shop is just one big random mess... which it is. I have this tendency to draw what I feel like drawing whenever the mood strikes me, and not all of it is cohesive (I love that word) with the rest of my shop.
And I'm still not sure exactly who my target customer base is. I mean, I know I have a bajillion things geared for baby nurseries and childrens rooms, but I also have a lot of other things geared for ... I have no idea who. And every time I think, "Okay, Marisa. Its time to take out the items that aren't cohesive with your overall shop look..." something unexpected sells.
Enter yet another artistic identity crisis HERE: _______________.
It doesn't help any that my mom has been after me to tone down my color palette for AGES. She decorates in neutrals and tends to like work that is more vintage and soft in its color. Judging by what is the most popular in art prints on Etsy, she's not the only one.
If you can't tell, I really like color. In fact, when I'm not using the brightest colors under the sun, I don't really know what to do.
So this weeks series of artistic identity crises have involved me trying to figure out how to make my pictures neutral. Is it easy? Uh, no. I'm kind of freaking out here, and itching to get my hands on bright colors.
But instead of reaching for Mediterranean Blue, Poppy Red, and Spring Green, I'm trying to make use of my least used color: beige.
Beige scares me. I am not beige. I'm Flamingo Pink and Lime Green. But I figured I might start by taking my existing work and trying to see if I can alter the color palette to be softer and more neutral.
There. I'm done. Isn't it adorable?
Just kidding -- but I really love seeing pictures of my work in their ugly duckling stages of illustration. They really are hideous little things!
Am I going to be able to pull off the neutral color palette? I'm not really sure. But let me just tell you, the background is going to be plaid when I'm done. How awesome is that?
xoxo,
14 comments:
Listen here, my dear, you should not change anything about your art! Why would you ever want to use beige when your personality and spirit are obviously brightly colored with all the fascinating jewels of the world? Your art is wonderful!
Your art Is beautiful. Looking at your previous art I can't see why you would ever want to go neutral.
I'm sure it will turn out soft and lovely, but I do not see you as a "beige" kind of artist. :)
I know where you're coming from! Although your art and blog are great. I just did the same and blogged about my beige house.
You and I have the same crises! All I can share is that the harder I try to stray from what isn't
me", the less I enjoy what I make. OK, so I'm not selling like wildfire either, but I'm happier when I do what I like the most. I LOVE color and I love the colors you use. I say not to change a thing and the hell with everyone else!
Beige? I'm not sure I'm a beige fan. I did just repaint 75% of my house beige, but that's because we'd like to sell it in the near future. So, I guess I sort of followed your mother's advice too. But it really isn't my preference. I, like you, love color. Bright, happy colors!! Especially in artwork. Beige is for the background so the colorful artwork can pop! Your artwork is gorgeous with all of its eyecatching, beautiful, bright colors. Okay, I just re-read what I wrote, and I'm probably no help either. I think you should make art that makes you happy, though.
I tend to make what I like to make, too -- whimsical to classic. That's why I ended up ditching Etsy for my own site, because I separated my web site into "moods" or "rooms" so if all you were interested in was funky, you could just look at funky.
I LOVE your artwork!! I love the bold vibrant colors you use in your artwork.
don't do it! (change what feels good to you I mean...).
If people want beige art to match their beige walls, they can head to the nearest Walmart or some other store, and pick up something that goes. Always follow what is in your heart, you love the wild colors, then by all means, break them out, and enjoy!
My my, we do have a lot in common :) I, too, love the word cohesive, and I hate beige. Mostly beige walls and beige in the bathroom. Sometimes I go a little overboard and do things like paint my bedroom mac'n'cheese orange, but I think playing with neutrals would be fun for your shop :) So what you love, though. I can't wait to see what you come up with.
I love your bright bold drawings, but sometimes its fun to challenge yourself too and try something new. Just stick with what you love and what makes you happy :)
But then again, I'm a bit biased, you could draw something in white chalk on the sidewalk and I'd think its fabulous and worthy of hanging on my wall
Marisa you have to be true to YOU, to YOUR style and know that there is an audience for it...I personally LOVE bright colors & themes and shy away from neutrals...they are boring to me & lack personality...if YOU feel bright & fun & sunny & whimsical, then that is how you should draw =o) please don't change your style, it so fits you =o)
Shannon
The piece turned out lovely and though I, too, have tried the pastel thing -- some of us are just meant to be Rainbow Brites. And I'll choose the fuchsia over the pale pink anyday! ;)
I don't think there's anything wrong with experimenting, as long as in the end you're creating what you love and remember that even though it may not be the trendy way to go -- those details you always find yourself going back to (like the color palette) are what make your work you.
I can relate to the identity crisis...lately, got the same blahs. LOL I gotta say though that, as cute as the biege monkeys are, I much prefer your colorful snobbery. :) Go snobby and bold! :)
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