For the majority of my life, I didn't really care about art. I could admire it like anyone else, but I never really understood what made art something to "ooh" and "ahh" over. When I started painting miniatures, I also saw my perspective on art completely change.
Last night we went to have Christmas with the in-laws, and I think I spent 45 minutes talking to Amanda's grandfather about his art. He showed me copies of several of his pieces, and I found myself able to see the small details that added up to the entire picture - things like shading and color gradation are the first things I noticed, and from there I'd start taking in more and more of the picture. Compare that to a few years ago where I'd look at a picture and have no real idea how it was done.
Last month I also found myself enjoying a video I never would have care about before.
The video has a group of graffiti artists who are unleashed on an abandoned warehouse. The entire time I watched it, I wasn't paying attention to what they were creating so much as how they were doing it. I was admiring the subtleties that made a piece really stand out, and how every piece created a piece of art.
I've had people refer to me as an "artist," and I've sort of balked at the idea. I've never been good at art. I tried taking an art class in high school and finally quit because I was pretty sure the teacher was going to throw me out because I wasn't progressing like she wanted. I've always admired people who can make things that are beautiful to look at, and had accepted that I wouldn't be one of them.
With all of that, the idea that I love painting miniatures boggles a lot of people who knew me growing up. While I'm probably not ready to win any painting competitions, I know that I love art more than I ever have. I'm understanding color theory, I'm always trying new techniques, and I've had a few people compliment my painting. I can talk art theory with people who do more standard styles of art, and I don't feel like I'm a toddler trying to play in the major leagues.
It's kind of exciting to think about. I've always enjoyed the arts, but I mostly stuck to writing or hands-on things like origami. Realizing that I understand art because of my painting makes me wonder if I did accidentally stumble in to a small bit of artist-hood, even if I will never be able to paint something on a blank canvass.
To you painters out there, do you find yourself appreciating other art after learning to paint miniatures? Do you consider yourself an artist, or just someone who paints little dudes? I'm still not ready to call myself an "artist," but I'm curious to hear how the rest of you see yourselves.
See you tomorrow!
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