I was at Nancy Bea's blog where she was telling a story of being with some "artists" and mentioning she was doing some illustration work. They all gasped as if she had said was prostituting! They tried to "help" her think of other ways to make money - anything but illustration! Anything but... THAT!
The comments there were all supportive of course, many quite insightful. I did some research and found some useful, wonderful webpages regarding this.
Art is the creation of something that evokes an emotional or intellectual response through one or more senses. An illustrator can do fine work that can rival any "fine art." Ask these "artists" if they feel Norman Rockwell was a hack? All he ever did was illustration! And artists throughout history have always done commissioned work. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel - commissioned and dictated by the church - was commercial art. Seriously.
The debate over "commercial vs. fine art" is discussed well here:
ARC - Illustration and Art
I highly recommend you read the whole thing (2 pages). There are some strong arguments in favor of illustration as art.
I am biased (heck, I think Looney Tunes are fine art!) but these essays will give you (and me, and anyone else) confidence in illustration as fine art.
Here's more:
Fine Art Vs Art That's Mighty Fine
and THIS glowing endorsement!
Drawing new conclusions about Illustration Art
6 comments:
I am so glad to hear this and was a bit sad when Nancy's friend made such remarks; sad for Nancy, sad for all of us illustrators. It was unfair to treat illustration such way. Thanks for the reference links, Mike. You're really informative!
Thanks for all the work Mike. I look forward to reading the articles. That's one topic that irks me because I feel it's all art. Looney Toons Too!
All the classical music I learned, I got from BUGS BUNNY! :) I happen to think that Looney Toons is high-brow comedy genius & respectable art.
LOL! I've gone to the Looney Tunes concert a couple of times at The Hollywood Bowl. LA Phil and special guests (like animators) with Bugs Bunny cartoons on a giant screen. What's Opera Doc? with full orchestra and a whole amphitheater of fans is a riot! :)
I have always been an oil painter until one day I was at the doctor's office and started doodling on my appointment notebook. Four years later I am still drawing Isabella and drawing in my Moleskines. I don't give a damn about what critics and other artists say about illustrating, drawing, painting, collage etc. If one loves what she is doing, that is good enough for me. I love illustrators! Every great master I know illustrates to make a study of their paintings...I love Van Gogh's drawings.
Art is in the eye of the beholder...I agree with you Mike everything is art. However, If I had to choose one or the other for my epithat, I would take Illustrator over Artist any day.
Rhino Morgan
1968-
He fed his kids w/ Illustration
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