Thread: Consistency !?
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Old 02-12-2008, 10:15 AM   #5
Marvin Mattelson Marvin Mattelson is offline
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Joined: May 2002
Location: Great Neck, NY
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I think that it's a big mistake to try and contrive a style. Style should evolve and over the years it too should change just as we do as people. But a recognizable style can be a double edged sword. I have seen far too many big-name artists who have spent the bulk of their lives imitating themselves.

Isn't the point of being an artist to keep pushing forward on the road to self discovery? If I wanted to do the same thing in the same way every day I'd look for a job that would bring in some serious coin.

The key, it seems to me, is to focus in on a specific subject matter, find a medium that is most conducive to your sensibilities and start to explore. Generally speaking, I think combining portraits, with landscapes and still lifes while using a multitude of media would be confusing to prospective clients, if one wanted to promote portraits. I advise my students that if they have multiple approaches they should have multiple portfolios and promote each style separately.
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Marvin Mattelson
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