What is “Good” Art?

[Hanarchy Montanarchy]

Craftsmen are indeed artists. Thus the label of ‘artisan’.

Lots of metrosexual douche bags call themselves artisans for selling you less for more and putting a bow on top.

The artistry of craftsmanship is often in the work. No wasted moves, and being able to produce premium work with average tools or materials.

I agree but the Art snobs wouldn't. To keep art in its own category outside of craftsmen is why I call people who do all of the imagination themselves "artists."

If I may speak for the art snobs - this isn't true. Getting the job done on time, efficiently, and under budget is something universally appreciated. There is a definite artistry to craft, and a craftsmanship to art.

J.S. Bach was a workhorse, cranking out big production cantatas for the church, chamber music for princelings, and counterpoint tone games in his spare time that are not only fun to listen to, but worthy of close attention and study.

[Smitty-48]

thing is, you either get in a flow or you don't

when you have a muse, the art just flows

when you lose the inspiration, no deadlines can force you to be creative, there's simply no wind in the sails

[Smitty-48]

it's like dancing with girls is an art

she is the muse, her sexiness inspires you to dance, and you are in sync with her, hips pumping

but if you are just there in the corner dancing with yourself, no muse, you are dead in the water

[SuburbanFarmer]

I’d say there’s certainly artistry in say coming up with solutions to unusual problems, or designing a new ‘thing’, be it coding, carving, or even remodeling.

Example:

[Hanarchy Montanarchy]

Inspiration is easy, and making art when inspired is fun and easy.

Hard work, dedication, and practice are hard, but sometimes you need to fall back on habit to grind something out. Frequently, you'll have inspiration that takes you 60% of the way to finished, and then you have to knuckle down and do the shit that isn't fun.

Just like any job, really - and the best artists treat it like a job even when nobody is paying them.

[C-Mag]

The art snobs call my favorite artists illustrators. One is Charles M Russell who captured a brief period of American history in images, not as a camera would see them, but as the human eye would see them.


Another is Norman Rockwell, who captured American mid century life


I love both these artists and images as they raise emotions in me, they put me in a time and place that are familiar to me and they represent who we are as a people.

I don't get any of that when I look at the Mona Lisa.

[doc_loliday]

Inspiration isn't muse though. There's plenty of bands that are "good", you listen to them, clearly they're talented musicians, they're tight, but yet, they suck. Obviously, its subjective, but we've all heard terrible lyrics, some people have a natural talent for a way with words, and speaking to your soul.

[Smitty-48]

my 'Mona Lisa' is Guernica

[Smitty-48]

Inspiration isn't muse though. There's plenty of bands that are "good", you listen to them, clearly they're talented musicians, they're tight, but yet, they suck. Obviously, its subjective, but we've all heard terrible lyrics, some people have a natural talent for a way with words, and speaking to your soul.

but when you also suck, you are more forgiving

it's hard just to get to sucking, most people don't put themselves out there at all

reason being they are afraid people will say that they suck

[Hanarchy Montanarchy]

I love both these artists and images as they raise emotions in me, they put me in a time and place that are familiar to me and they represent who we are as a people.

I don't get any of that when I look at the Mona Lisa.

In all fairness to the Mona Lisa, it is a little much to expect it to represent America as well as Rockwell.

As for snobs and illustrations - plenty of snobs love Gustave Dore. Illustration is worthy of respect.