FINDING YOUR ARTISTIC VOICE

Ciao a tutti! Finding your artistic voice can be a lifetime's journey, but it's worth the candles! When you know who you really are, as an artist you start telling your story through artworks. That's how they become fulfilled with your integral identity.

Many artists grapple with finding their voice, but most don’t realize it is there from the very beginning. All you need is to hear and follow it's calling. Finding your voice is an editing process; in order to distill what you want to say in your art, you need to decide which techniques, methods, and parts of the process you enjoy and then let go of everything else. Letting go is the hardest part of finding your voice, it takes a lot of introspection and self-examination.

I have spent around 7 years in search of mine, only to understand that we should never keep refining our skills, we should never stop growing. Even having found your artistic voice you should continue experimenting to stay motivated and nourish your inner creator and that's what I always do.

I would recommend to all artists who are looking for their authentic voice try my approach, here is what you need to do:

1) Choose three paintings/photos by artists you like the most

Here you can see my favorite ones:

"La Danseuse" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Here we should pay attention to forms and lines, to the composition built on a pink bright color. All lines are smooth and flowing, they emphasize body features, conveying refinement of the main personage.

"Les Voluptueux" by Victor Prouvè, can you see the motion? I think it is almost possible to feel it. Wow, what a masterful artwork! Take a look at colors used to convey the dynamics of light and dark tones. Brushstrokes are smooth here, the figures almost disappear in the vortex.

Pale gloomy colors in combination with high key contrast are the main characteristics of Laura Makabresku's artistic style. The author drives our attention to the personage and to a strong piercing emotion she is suffering at that instant. Is it a revelation? Is it remorse, grief, or sorrow?

2) Analyze each artwork and ask yourself, "What attracts me? Is it light? Composition? Do you like the lines? Colors? Ecc."

3) Write a list of answers and start experimenting, applying new styles/methods to your artworks.

Once you decide which elements you want to hang onto you need to find a way to combine them into one cohesive and consistent voice. Concentrate on the issues and techniques that matter most to you. If it doesn’t resonate with who you are, then it’s not going to be much help in making up your voice. Don’t be afraid to try new things, or go back to ideas you abandoned decades ago if that’s what you’re drawn to. It can be a little intimidating, and there’s no harm in continuing to work in other styles in the meantime, but it’s crucial that you also give yourself permission to develop in the way that is appropriate for you.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t overthink it - spend awhile looking out for and identifying those things that matter to you, and then just start painting, sculpting, or shooting. It can take time to find your voice, so don’t worry if you go through a patch of being somehow dissatisfied with what you’re producing. Keep experimenting and do it with a sense of freedom. Remember that anything goes – if there is a medium you’ve always been fascinated by but we're too afraid to try, go for it. If there’s a subject you’re interested in that wasn’t of interest to your teachers, perhaps now is the time to see what you can do with it. Don’t be afraid; be yourself.

Practice, practice, and one day you will see what an amazing artist you really are!

I attach 3 examples of my artworks from 2013 to 2019 and 2020, do you see the difference?:))

Looking forward to your comments and questions, I am always happy to help if I can. Thank you for reading.