ART VS. ARTIST 2024

Reflecting on my own ‘Art vs. Artist’ journey, it truly is a unique way to document growth and see how your creative voice matures. For those who might be new to this trend, it's essentially a grid where artists place a photo of themselves in the center, surrounded by nine of their favorite or most representative artworks. It's not just about showcasing pretty pictures; it’s a powerful tool for self-assessment and sharing your unique perspective with the world. When I look back at my grids from 2018, which featured floating islands and ghosts, to 2024, with the vibrant watercolor illustrations of houses, frogs, and whimsical figures, I can clearly see shifts. You might wonder, 'how do you explain art like this?' For me, it's about identifying recurring themes, color palettes, and techniques. For instance, my early works often featured a cool, ethereal quality, while more recent pieces incorporate brighter purples and blues, or even warm browns for my mushroom tapestry. The OCR results for my grids really highlight this visual journey, from the specific elements like skeletons and birds to the overall illustrative style. It's fascinating to see how 'the artist' influences 'the art' and vice-versa. Sometimes, my personal experiences guide a new series, like wanting to add more movement after feeling some pieces were too stiff. Other times, discovering a new medium, like the allure of woven tapestries for my long skinny moth painting, pushes my artistic boundaries. This interplay is what makes an artist's signature style so personal and recognizable. If you're an aspiring artist trying to understand your own evolution or looking for ways to explain your art, I'd suggest creating your own 'Art vs. Artist' grid. Lay out your pieces chronologically or by theme. What patterns emerge? Do certain subjects, like the houses or figures on a moon from my 2024 grid, keep reappearing in different iterations? How has your use of color changed from, say, the subtle tones in my 2019 stacked books to the bold backgrounds in 2024? Don't be afraid to embrace the 'flat look' if that's your style, or to experiment with depth if you feel called to it. My goal for 2025 to design a wide horizontal tapestry is all about pushing those boundaries while staying true to my core aesthetic. This continuous process of exploration and refinement is what makes the artistic journey so rewarding. It's about letting 'the art' speak for itself, but also understanding 'the artist' behind it, and being able to articulate that connection. So, go ahead, reflect on your journey, and let your art tell its story!