There’s an ageless debate around Art vs Craft and I think it ends up simply creating labels and structures where there don’t need to be any.
There’s a similar schism between Artist and Designer that rages in some circles.
Artists have to inherently be craftspeople but each artist’s craft can vary wildly and one artist’s established mise en place is another’s version of chaos.
So I think it is valuable to understand that art making and the artifacts of that process (the work) are unique elements but they exist as part of a broader understanding of art and artist.
Great points Davin! Thanks for reading! Writing is my way of thinking out loud. My attempt to put muddled thoughts into something orderly. Everything I write lives at the level of wonder, of pondering, or musing. The level of 'perhaps' and 'maybe'. As Socrates said, the only thing I know is that I know nothing.
I find labels and structures useful. I find something creatively liberating about working with particular parameters and restrictions and rules. The trick is to hold them loosely. To not identify with them too closely. It's the raft that takes you to the other shore, the Buddga might say, after you arrive it may no longer be necessary. But whether or not any of us can ever fully arrive anywhere seems unlikely. For me this is another reason to make the discipline itself the goal.
Mise en place does vary widely. That's what I've enjoyed about trying to study the practices of chef's and line cooking. Every cook prepares their station in their own way. Their preferred tools and supplies ready at hand in just the right way. The way that suits their precise needs. It's the ritual that matters. The intentionality. The process. The methodology.
Bringing that approach into my own practice, thinking less about art and more about the regiment of working, has been helpful and invigorating and freeing. It's definitely given me something to think about, things I'm actively considering.
To be clear, I very much agree with the core of what you are saying and also that structures within creative practice are extremely valuable especially when we are free to tear them down in favour of other ways of working.
I applaud that you are working and speaking your way through an understanding of your own work and the work of other artists.
I also like to talk/work my way through to understanding or at lease to the next avenue of discovery or wonder. Keep it coming!
I really appreciate your feedback Davin! One of the most beneficial things about this platform for me is being able to think through ideas with others. It's so helpful in trying to achieve clarity on a matter that's still a bit hazy. The fact that you're engaging with these topics along with me, means everything!
This piece is both surprising and familiar at the same time--like upside-down trees reflected on a lake. And the darkness above adds to the inverted feeling. Lovely.
I agree with your thoughts on craft, which reminds me a lot of how we work in dentistry--or any kind or surgery--with a clear set of steps, repeated many times, crafting something with integrity and economy of motion--but also with love. I think loving intention is the secret ingredient in all good work.
Thanks Ann! Love the imagery if the reflected trees!
You're exactly right in your surgery analogy! It's that level of preparation, and ritual, and routine. It's a prepped station. It's tools organized and clean. It's a kind embodied reverence that one learns only through the practice of dedicating oneself to the motions countless repetitions. "Loving intention" is an excellent point here. For this degree if commitment there's no way around it. It's Necessitated.
Craft perhaps leads to art? There’s the process and the outcome. Just thinking out loud here. Either way, I think craft is the essence of it all— enjoying the journey is kind of the analogy I’m going for. I don’t know if I’m making sense but that’s what comes to mind. A wonderful post and collages, Duane. Thanks for sharing!
Makes perfect sense! It's definitely something I've been thinking about a lot myself. In reality I think they're two sides of the same coin. Functioning in tandem. I'm becoming more and more convinced that the craft is the art itself. That the real art is the practice, the process, the committed rituals of making things. The artwork, the pictures, the paintings, the sculptures, the photos, the poems, the collages, the books, plays, and novels, these are just the side effects of an expressive regiment of activities. Thanks so much helping these thoughts along!
Thanks Nathaniel! looking forward to checking out this substack! I appreciate the recommendation! Can't wait to see what you come up with, please let me know when you have it finished. I'd love to give it a read!
Thanks so much! It’s taken a long time to find my creative voice, and to find my way to this work, I try to do what I can to help anyone I can get to theirs a little quicker.
I understand this distinction as learning your craft and practicing endlessly before you can achieve excellence. I believe there are both craft and art in many pursuits. Having said that, they are still labels.
Hi Rod! Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate it! You're absolutely right, these are labels, which is why I find them so useful. They have utility and practical purpose. The can provide guiding principle. Many find labels to be problematic and spend a great deal of effort trying to reject them. Many look for ways to be "outside of the box". But if you've ever given a box to a kid or a cat you know the wonder and creativity that takes place inside it. The trick is to remember that the labels and boxes are fluid. They are porous and maleable. They can be and mean whatever you need them to. They are invitations to invention. They are rukes, yes, but the rules are yours to make and break as you see fit. Thanks again!
Exactly! I think that’s one of the things that I’ve found so helpful about the Index Card a Day Challenge, everday you test the possibilities of what can happen in a 4×6 space. Thanks again!
Same here, my friend, same here. I've never been one to fantasize about meeting a celebratory. There are few that I would care to know. But, I would have loved to have had chance to meet him.
Oh, this is a truly great piece. The work, the skill, the dedication that goes into creating is certainly worth its weight - it’s the constant attention to detail, the time out into the process rather than the product. Process provides us with a space to explore, to learn in a holistic way - to provide an authentic voice to the vision - its a form of therapy, a way to understand ourselves - a removal from reality, standing back and zooming in or zooming out: it is finding comfort, the contentment in the making, in the joy of ‘doing’, rather than what is ‘done’. In order to create something phenomenal, we must have the right process in place, be comforted by it.
Those who create and those who consume have different purposes for artwork - artists and craftsmen should be more enamoured with the process, whereas, those appreciating it, well it’s usually about the end product isn't it (unless they too are creatives and actively want to know about the process).
Love these bits -
“In the 'how' of the making not in the 'what' of the made.”
“The religion of mise en place and the meditative monotony.”
This is so important to think and talk about. There is an urge that can rise up to feel stuck on making a polished product and then present it to the world. I know I have been caught up in that before, which doesn't feel great!
I want to get caught up in the process not the end result. That's where it seems more true to me as the maker so what results is more pure.
Thank you! The process is everything. The more you make it the focus, the more you refine it, the more you iterate, the more the work will find it's way.
I've started trying to think about my approach to the work like a line cook. Something perfectly plated doesn't just happen. It's not a stroke of wild inspiration. It's not a instance of otherworldly genius out of the blue. It's the result of a process. Of methodical steps meticulously followed through. It's the right ingredients, prepared in just the right way. It's when you lose yourself in the commitment to the regiment that the work shines through.
There’s an ageless debate around Art vs Craft and I think it ends up simply creating labels and structures where there don’t need to be any.
There’s a similar schism between Artist and Designer that rages in some circles.
Artists have to inherently be craftspeople but each artist’s craft can vary wildly and one artist’s established mise en place is another’s version of chaos.
So I think it is valuable to understand that art making and the artifacts of that process (the work) are unique elements but they exist as part of a broader understanding of art and artist.
Great points Davin! Thanks for reading! Writing is my way of thinking out loud. My attempt to put muddled thoughts into something orderly. Everything I write lives at the level of wonder, of pondering, or musing. The level of 'perhaps' and 'maybe'. As Socrates said, the only thing I know is that I know nothing.
I find labels and structures useful. I find something creatively liberating about working with particular parameters and restrictions and rules. The trick is to hold them loosely. To not identify with them too closely. It's the raft that takes you to the other shore, the Buddga might say, after you arrive it may no longer be necessary. But whether or not any of us can ever fully arrive anywhere seems unlikely. For me this is another reason to make the discipline itself the goal.
Mise en place does vary widely. That's what I've enjoyed about trying to study the practices of chef's and line cooking. Every cook prepares their station in their own way. Their preferred tools and supplies ready at hand in just the right way. The way that suits their precise needs. It's the ritual that matters. The intentionality. The process. The methodology.
Bringing that approach into my own practice, thinking less about art and more about the regiment of working, has been helpful and invigorating and freeing. It's definitely given me something to think about, things I'm actively considering.
Thanks again for sharing these great thoughts!
To be clear, I very much agree with the core of what you are saying and also that structures within creative practice are extremely valuable especially when we are free to tear them down in favour of other ways of working.
I applaud that you are working and speaking your way through an understanding of your own work and the work of other artists.
I also like to talk/work my way through to understanding or at lease to the next avenue of discovery or wonder. Keep it coming!
I really appreciate your feedback Davin! One of the most beneficial things about this platform for me is being able to think through ideas with others. It's so helpful in trying to achieve clarity on a matter that's still a bit hazy. The fact that you're engaging with these topics along with me, means everything!
Love the work! Be well.
Thanks so much for reading Benjamin!
This piece is both surprising and familiar at the same time--like upside-down trees reflected on a lake. And the darkness above adds to the inverted feeling. Lovely.
I agree with your thoughts on craft, which reminds me a lot of how we work in dentistry--or any kind or surgery--with a clear set of steps, repeated many times, crafting something with integrity and economy of motion--but also with love. I think loving intention is the secret ingredient in all good work.
Thanks Ann! Love the imagery if the reflected trees!
You're exactly right in your surgery analogy! It's that level of preparation, and ritual, and routine. It's a prepped station. It's tools organized and clean. It's a kind embodied reverence that one learns only through the practice of dedicating oneself to the motions countless repetitions. "Loving intention" is an excellent point here. For this degree if commitment there's no way around it. It's Necessitated.
Thanks again!
Craft perhaps leads to art? There’s the process and the outcome. Just thinking out loud here. Either way, I think craft is the essence of it all— enjoying the journey is kind of the analogy I’m going for. I don’t know if I’m making sense but that’s what comes to mind. A wonderful post and collages, Duane. Thanks for sharing!
Makes perfect sense! It's definitely something I've been thinking about a lot myself. In reality I think they're two sides of the same coin. Functioning in tandem. I'm becoming more and more convinced that the craft is the art itself. That the real art is the practice, the process, the committed rituals of making things. The artwork, the pictures, the paintings, the sculptures, the photos, the poems, the collages, the books, plays, and novels, these are just the side effects of an expressive regiment of activities. Thanks so much helping these thoughts along!
Craft is the art itself. Well said, Duane!
Your work is always wonderful to see and the topic is so timely. Deep in my own explorations of this and find it informing absolutely everything
Wow! Thank you so much! I'm so glad you found this helpful or beneficial in any way! Never stop exploring, it really is everything!
This is especially relevant with the advent of AI image generation. Ideas are important, but art is in the making.
John Warner wrote about this recently on his Substack: https://biblioracle.substack.com/p/ideas-arent-worth-anything?triedRedirect=true
Thanks for writing! This adds to a little essay currently stewing in my brain 🙂
Thanks Nathaniel! looking forward to checking out this substack! I appreciate the recommendation! Can't wait to see what you come up with, please let me know when you have it finished. I'd love to give it a read!
I will! It’s shaping up to be about collage as an entry point to art making. I just had the idea yesterday though so we’ll see when I finish, haha
I love it already! Can't wait!
La disciplina es la mejor recompensa. ¡Buen trabajo!
I love this, and I so enjoy your collages. Thank you.
Thanks Jenn! I'm so glad to hear that! It really does mean the world to me! Thanks so much for reading!
You are most welcome. Your enthusiasm for your craft and art is contagious. Thanks for sharing the joy.
Thanks so much! It’s taken a long time to find my creative voice, and to find my way to this work, I try to do what I can to help anyone I can get to theirs a little quicker.
I understand this distinction as learning your craft and practicing endlessly before you can achieve excellence. I believe there are both craft and art in many pursuits. Having said that, they are still labels.
Hi Rod! Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate it! You're absolutely right, these are labels, which is why I find them so useful. They have utility and practical purpose. The can provide guiding principle. Many find labels to be problematic and spend a great deal of effort trying to reject them. Many look for ways to be "outside of the box". But if you've ever given a box to a kid or a cat you know the wonder and creativity that takes place inside it. The trick is to remember that the labels and boxes are fluid. They are porous and maleable. They can be and mean whatever you need them to. They are invitations to invention. They are rukes, yes, but the rules are yours to make and break as you see fit. Thanks again!
Absolutely, Duane! Thinking differently within the box? I love that thought!
Exactly! I think that’s one of the things that I’ve found so helpful about the Index Card a Day Challenge, everday you test the possibilities of what can happen in a 4×6 space. Thanks again!
Man, I really miss Bourdain…
Same here, my friend, same here. I've never been one to fantasize about meeting a celebratory. There are few that I would care to know. But, I would have loved to have had chance to meet him.
Great distinction between art and craft.
Thanks Lewis! Anthony Bourdain is one of those writers that I find something new in every time I read them.
It was a great loss. A sweet soul
Couldn't agree more. The world, itself, seems different without him in it.
Oh, this is a truly great piece. The work, the skill, the dedication that goes into creating is certainly worth its weight - it’s the constant attention to detail, the time out into the process rather than the product. Process provides us with a space to explore, to learn in a holistic way - to provide an authentic voice to the vision - its a form of therapy, a way to understand ourselves - a removal from reality, standing back and zooming in or zooming out: it is finding comfort, the contentment in the making, in the joy of ‘doing’, rather than what is ‘done’. In order to create something phenomenal, we must have the right process in place, be comforted by it.
Those who create and those who consume have different purposes for artwork - artists and craftsmen should be more enamoured with the process, whereas, those appreciating it, well it’s usually about the end product isn't it (unless they too are creatives and actively want to know about the process).
Love these bits -
“In the 'how' of the making not in the 'what' of the made.”
“The religion of mise en place and the meditative monotony.”
Comforted by the process - I love that! It is it's own validation. It's own reward. Beautifully put!
This is so important to think and talk about. There is an urge that can rise up to feel stuck on making a polished product and then present it to the world. I know I have been caught up in that before, which doesn't feel great!
I want to get caught up in the process not the end result. That's where it seems more true to me as the maker so what results is more pure.
Thank you! The process is everything. The more you make it the focus, the more you refine it, the more you iterate, the more the work will find it's way.
I've started trying to think about my approach to the work like a line cook. Something perfectly plated doesn't just happen. It's not a stroke of wild inspiration. It's not a instance of otherworldly genius out of the blue. It's the result of a process. Of methodical steps meticulously followed through. It's the right ingredients, prepared in just the right way. It's when you lose yourself in the commitment to the regiment that the work shines through.