How long will it take to Master Your Artistic Voice?

I finished another painting this week and as I sat down looking at the work had some really interesting realizations about the creative journey. As I look back over my time as a professional artist I can see that several distinct bodies of work have emerged during that time. However overtime there are certain characteristics, themes, mark making, line work, brush strokes and so on that evolved. I'm particularly happy with the painting I completed this week and what I realised was that without all those hundreds of paintings that have gone before this painting would never have been able to come into existence. It is a combination of so many different things and paths I've been down.

A new student entered the studio last week and upon looking at the latest of my works, was heard to remark, "I want you to teach me to paint like that." To which one of the other students replied - "that's 30 years experience you are looking at."

Here is a wander down that path travelled over the last 30 odd years. This is how long it has taken me to really master my artistic voice - if it can be said that it is ever really done?

The inset paintings

Flowers - influenced by Georgia O'Keefe

Surrealism - influenced by Dali

The fabric printing work I did back in 2000 - influenced by Fortuny.

Landscape painting

Abstract realism -a recent addition

There are probably other things as well, as i have been influenced by different genres over the years will stop a favourite of mine is Art Nouveau.

When I stop to think about it there are just so many things that influence our journey as an artist. Teachers, mentors, other artists, friends and family, (not always a good influence ), the times we live in, our artistic peers, art movements and many more.

This is why it takes often several years to fully develop one's artistic voice, to figure out how all those things can meld into a coherent whole. And then to refine and further develop it.

So if you are an aspiring painter - I would say to you, "It's all about the brush mileage!" Be patient and do the work.