Back in November 2014 I wrote How to Explain Your Art and it became very popular not only in the blog but also in Ezine Articles and Fine Art America. In several discussions in LinkedIn I believe the article was misunderstood by some. The article was never intended to explain a specific piece of art but our general intent in creating art. Each individual piece should speak by itself. At least that is what I aim for as I explain in my artist statement:

“I am inspired by the fluidity, dynamism, and power of the human body.
I experiment with techniques and media that allow me to portray the figure in its balance between vivacity, emotion, strength, and sensibility.
I aim to provide each piece with its own soul, a life, and a story to tell on its own.”

A few years ago I painted a face of a lady with a crown of flowers and a very colorful background. The day I posted the picture on Facebook I received two comments from two different ladies. One of them expressed how happy the painting made her feel. On the other hand, the second lady expressed how sad the painting made her feel and how she cried when she saw it. The same painting was speaking in two different ways to two different individuals. The painting had no meaning in itself, or better said, no intended meaning. However, these two ladies found meaning by themselves.

In my current exhibit closing January 24 the torsos speak differently to different individuals even though there are no faces. The body itself communicates to the viewer without explanations. Each piece can tell a story to the viewer and even more important, each viewer can create their own story. If I explain each piece I am stealing from the viewer to find meaning on their own. I would be also limiting the story to one instead of leaving it open to interpretations and an unlimited amount of stories as the viewers can find.

I would preferably let art speak. Maybe it wants to tell you something if you just listen. Stop and observe. What domes to mind? What is it trying to tell you? How are you letting art speak to you? Words are not always necessary. You can feel it too without trying to articulate it. Just feel.