MARCH/APRIL 2023
SPOTLIGHT
WHAT IS ART?
Text and Photography by Douglas Schwartz
Inside the Image and Beyond
It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To which I would paraphrase...art is in the eye of the beholder. Or, as
I prefer to think of it...art is in the mind of the beholder. The end.
I could allow those few words to comprise the shortest SPOTLIGHT I've ever written, but feel that more needs to be said. As a
writer, I must! I'll begin with an inside look at an image that was featured on the home page of our Schwartz Nature Photography
website last year. It happens to be one of my images, so naturally I like it. If I didn't, I never would have created it. Karen, however,
likes it even more than I. As a matter of fact, it was she who suggested that it be featured on our nature photography website.
Before sharing some of her thoughts on the image, I would like to provide a bit of background for it.
I created the image on a pleasant spring day at one of our local parks...specifically, Lums Pond State Park near Bear, Delaware.
While the image prominently features the classic-style composition of a tree with an overhanging branch, I feel that the real stars
are the little yellow flowers which serve as a foundation, or base, to the composition. They and the vibrantly colored grass and
leaves serve to illuminate the image. The pond itself, appearing as a co-star, is slightly visible in the background.
To me, the image possesses a spiritual quality. I sense this in many nature photographs, both mine and those of others. It's as if
the image somehow provides a glimpse into what many people refer to as Heaven. As such, the entire image evokes a sense of
contentment. Apparently others have been drawn to it for similar reasons as this image has been successful as fine art prints.
According to Karen..."This image brings me to a peaceful and gentle place where I am surrounded by the beauty of nature.
I wish I could step into it and sit by the tree among the little yellow flowers. Everything is awakening and is bathed in the new
green of spring. There is a sense of timelessness...as if this place would look the same in the past, present or future...always
there for us to step into whenever we feel the need to refresh our souls."
I prefer to think of it...art is in the mind of the beholder. The end.
I could allow those few words to comprise the shortest SPOTLIGHT I've ever written, but feel that more needs to be said. As a
writer, I must! I'll begin with an inside look at an image that was featured on the home page of our Schwartz Nature Photography
website last year. It happens to be one of my images, so naturally I like it. If I didn't, I never would have created it. Karen, however,
likes it even more than I. As a matter of fact, it was she who suggested that it be featured on our nature photography website.
Before sharing some of her thoughts on the image, I would like to provide a bit of background for it.
I created the image on a pleasant spring day at one of our local parks...specifically, Lums Pond State Park near Bear, Delaware.
While the image prominently features the classic-style composition of a tree with an overhanging branch, I feel that the real stars
are the little yellow flowers which serve as a foundation, or base, to the composition. They and the vibrantly colored grass and
leaves serve to illuminate the image. The pond itself, appearing as a co-star, is slightly visible in the background.
To me, the image possesses a spiritual quality. I sense this in many nature photographs, both mine and those of others. It's as if
the image somehow provides a glimpse into what many people refer to as Heaven. As such, the entire image evokes a sense of
contentment. Apparently others have been drawn to it for similar reasons as this image has been successful as fine art prints.
According to Karen..."This image brings me to a peaceful and gentle place where I am surrounded by the beauty of nature.
I wish I could step into it and sit by the tree among the little yellow flowers. Everything is awakening and is bathed in the new
green of spring. There is a sense of timelessness...as if this place would look the same in the past, present or future...always
there for us to step into whenever we feel the need to refresh our souls."
I will now move beyond the image, as the title of this SPOTLIGHT suggests, and attempt to answer the all encompassing
question...what is art?
People have different likes and dislikes when it comes to art. For example...a painting or photograph may seem to leap off the
wall and touch one viewer's soul, yet leave another cold and indifferent. One reader may absolutely love a certain novel or book
of poetry, while another may be bored to tears with it. A particular motion picture or television program may keep one viewer
on the edge of their seat, while another may fall asleep on theirs. And when it comes to music, tastes run in many directions as
is evident in the broad range of musical styles. In a weird sort of comparison, the art world is a bit like peanut butter. Some
people like creamy, while others like chunky.
Moving on, we find stand-up comedians and writers whose humor some people believe to be crude or generally offensive, while
other people laugh their asses off. For some readers, this would include many of my humorous or philosophical observations
appearing on my Schwartz Shirts website and in my Schwartz Shirts books. That's perfectly fine with me. I've always created all
of my art for myself, first and foremost. The way I see it, if my work doesn't make me think, smile, laugh, or experience some sort
of emotional reaction, how can I expect others to respond to it. Fortunately, others have. Which brings to mind the following.
Half of the two-part premise behind the naming of this journal is that..."No matter what artists create, they are always right! No
artistic result can be wrong if it is the intent of the artist. Not everyone may love it, or even like it, but it's not wrong if it's right for
the artist who created it." That's a direct quote from the ABOUT page which I wrote over five years ago. I honestly believed that
to be true at the time, and I still do.
Having said that, it can be tremendously rewarding if people, other than the artist who created it, appreciate their work, because
that's where turning a profit enters the picture (pun intended). An artist needs money for the necessities of life just like anyone else!
Beyond a need for food, clothing, a place to live and supplies for their art, however, the guiding motivation for an artist...the reason
for their very being...should be to create something which originates in their soul.
Therefore...while I would never advise anyone to follow my example...I believe that an artist should create exactly what they, the
artist, wants to and, while doing so, should never try to predict if what they like will appeal to others. If the artists work is truly good,
the public may, with a bit of luck and a lot of persistence, "discover" them. To put it another way, and to quote William Shakespeare…
"To thine own self be true." Which reminds me...some people like the writings of old Wil, and some don't. I suppose that was true
in his time. Did that stop him? Obviously not, and that's a good thing because people are still quoting him to this day. I just did!
There's a reason for that. True art is eternal. A well known painting on display in a museum is as relevant today as when the paint
on the canvas was still wet. A song from two-hundred years ago, which still has the power to resonate in the soul, is as meaningful
as it was when first played. Unlike food which looses its nutritional value over time, true art has the lasting ability to nourish those
who take the time to appreciate what it has to offer, long after all the flash in the pan viral videos have been forgotten.
As human beings, we all want our lives to be better in one way or another. Artists can, and have performed a significant role in this
matter. For even though the universe is immense and artists play only one role in the consciousness of humanity, what we have to
share through our creativity is perhaps the most important part in all of creation. I say this with a strong sense of conviction because
art, in all its many forms, has influenced the world countless times throughout history...for the better.
As I near the close of this SPOTLIGHT, I find myself wondering if my attempt to answer the monumental question posed in the title
was successful. It's an extremely complicated one, after all. I pause, close my eyes, and search deep in my mind.
After careful thought, I conclude that the answer to the question…what is art?...might best be expressed in the words I shared at
the start of the SPOTLIGHT. Art is in the mind of the beholder. Not a bad answer at that. Perhaps I should have stopped there!
question...what is art?
People have different likes and dislikes when it comes to art. For example...a painting or photograph may seem to leap off the
wall and touch one viewer's soul, yet leave another cold and indifferent. One reader may absolutely love a certain novel or book
of poetry, while another may be bored to tears with it. A particular motion picture or television program may keep one viewer
on the edge of their seat, while another may fall asleep on theirs. And when it comes to music, tastes run in many directions as
is evident in the broad range of musical styles. In a weird sort of comparison, the art world is a bit like peanut butter. Some
people like creamy, while others like chunky.
Moving on, we find stand-up comedians and writers whose humor some people believe to be crude or generally offensive, while
other people laugh their asses off. For some readers, this would include many of my humorous or philosophical observations
appearing on my Schwartz Shirts website and in my Schwartz Shirts books. That's perfectly fine with me. I've always created all
of my art for myself, first and foremost. The way I see it, if my work doesn't make me think, smile, laugh, or experience some sort
of emotional reaction, how can I expect others to respond to it. Fortunately, others have. Which brings to mind the following.
Half of the two-part premise behind the naming of this journal is that..."No matter what artists create, they are always right! No
artistic result can be wrong if it is the intent of the artist. Not everyone may love it, or even like it, but it's not wrong if it's right for
the artist who created it." That's a direct quote from the ABOUT page which I wrote over five years ago. I honestly believed that
to be true at the time, and I still do.
Having said that, it can be tremendously rewarding if people, other than the artist who created it, appreciate their work, because
that's where turning a profit enters the picture (pun intended). An artist needs money for the necessities of life just like anyone else!
Beyond a need for food, clothing, a place to live and supplies for their art, however, the guiding motivation for an artist...the reason
for their very being...should be to create something which originates in their soul.
Therefore...while I would never advise anyone to follow my example...I believe that an artist should create exactly what they, the
artist, wants to and, while doing so, should never try to predict if what they like will appeal to others. If the artists work is truly good,
the public may, with a bit of luck and a lot of persistence, "discover" them. To put it another way, and to quote William Shakespeare…
"To thine own self be true." Which reminds me...some people like the writings of old Wil, and some don't. I suppose that was true
in his time. Did that stop him? Obviously not, and that's a good thing because people are still quoting him to this day. I just did!
There's a reason for that. True art is eternal. A well known painting on display in a museum is as relevant today as when the paint
on the canvas was still wet. A song from two-hundred years ago, which still has the power to resonate in the soul, is as meaningful
as it was when first played. Unlike food which looses its nutritional value over time, true art has the lasting ability to nourish those
who take the time to appreciate what it has to offer, long after all the flash in the pan viral videos have been forgotten.
As human beings, we all want our lives to be better in one way or another. Artists can, and have performed a significant role in this
matter. For even though the universe is immense and artists play only one role in the consciousness of humanity, what we have to
share through our creativity is perhaps the most important part in all of creation. I say this with a strong sense of conviction because
art, in all its many forms, has influenced the world countless times throughout history...for the better.
As I near the close of this SPOTLIGHT, I find myself wondering if my attempt to answer the monumental question posed in the title
was successful. It's an extremely complicated one, after all. I pause, close my eyes, and search deep in my mind.
After careful thought, I conclude that the answer to the question…what is art?...might best be expressed in the words I shared at
the start of the SPOTLIGHT. Art is in the mind of the beholder. Not a bad answer at that. Perhaps I should have stopped there!
All content in this SPOTLIGHT © copyright Douglas Schwartz. All rights reserved.
