Use This Roadmap to Boost Your Creative Potential

In a time where innovation and uniqueness are paramount for success and growth, the drive to unlock and harness one’s creative prowess has never been more urgent. Yet, daily monotony often stifles creativity. Thankfully, numerous strategies are available to revive creativity and propel personal and professional growth. In this article, courtesy of Carole A. Feuerman, we’ll go over several simple things you can do to boost your creativity even during busy or stressful times in your life.

Revitalize Your Surroundings

A vibrant environment can significantly boost creativity, transcending mere location changes by integrating inspiring elements into everyday spaces. Adding motivational art, adjusting the lighting for the desired mood, or simplifying your space to minimize distractions can transform your surroundings. These subtle modifications can open your mind to new ideas and creative solutions.

Venture into Entrepreneurship

The entrepreneurial journey is inherently creative, demanding constant innovation and problem-solving. When you venture into building a company, it prompts you to think outside the box, facing challenges with unique solutions. Moreover, the process of forming an LLC not only grants legal and financial benefits but also pushes you to understand diverse aspects of business, from marketing strategies to product development, each requiring a creative approach. This multifaceted exploration can dramatically enhance your creative thinking skills.

Embark on a Career Shift

If you’re not ready to start your own business but are still looking for a change, consider leveling up your skills in order to find success in a new career. Embarking on a career transition is not merely about changing jobs; it's about inventive learning and adaptation. Pursuing a bachelor of computer science to enter the tech industry pushes individuals to engage their minds in previously unexplored ways. This journey enhances both their array of skills and their ability to approach problems with innovative and versatile solutions. With online programs, you can learn on your own time from the comfort of home while still continuing to work at your current job.

Cultivate Diverse Interests

Diving into diverse interests and hobbies is a powerful way to boost your creativity. Engaging in pursuits outside your main area of expertise stimulates your brain, fostering the linkage of varied ideas. Activities like learning a musical instrument, experimenting with culinary arts, or writing fiction expand your experiences and perspectives, becoming a wellspring of inspiration and innovative thought.

Explore Eclectic Creative Works

Experiencing a broad spectrum of creative works opens your mind to diverse thinking patterns and fresh ideas, pushing the limits of your own creativity. Actively seeking out new genres, cultures, and artistic mediums, such as international literature, music from various cultural backgrounds, or art that defies traditional standards, is essential. This journey not only expands your creative outlook but also enhances empathy and comprehension, enriching your reservoir of creativity.

Unlocking Creativity Through Playfulness

Incorporating play into your life dissolves the barriers to creativity, allowing you to explore ideas without the fear of failure or judgment. Playfulness encourages you to view problems through a lens of curiosity and experimentation. Simple activities like doodling, building with blocks, or even participating in improvisational theater can significantly enhance your ability to think creatively by promoting a mindset of openness and curiosity.

Practice Mindful Awareness

Mindfulness enhances creativity by grounding you in the present, thereby clearing the clutter of past and future concerns that often inhibit creative thought. Practices like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or even mindful walking in nature can help quiet the mind, making it more receptive to creative ideas. This state of presence allows for a deeper connection with your creative intuition, facilitating a flow of ideas that are both innovative and authentic.

Keep a Creativity Journal

A creativity journal is more than just a diary; it's a tool for capturing the ebb and flow of your creative thoughts and ideas. Regularly jotting down thoughts, sketches, or inspirations allows you to revisit and refine these ideas over time. This practice not only serves as a personal library of creativity but also encourages the habit of observing and appreciating the creative potential in everyday moments. By reflecting on your entries, you can uncover patterns in your thinking and identify areas for exploration and growth.

In the quest to unleash your creative potential, embracing change, exploration, and collaboration are paramount. By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can cultivate a fertile ground for creativity to thrive, leading to greater fulfillment and success in all your endeavors. Remember, creativity knows no bounds — embrace the journey and let your imagination soar.

Carole A. Feuerman is a renowned artist and author whose work embodies the Hyperrealism style. Have a question or comment? Reach out today.

Written by Tanya Lee

Unlocking New Horizons: The Role of Art and Music in Addiction Recovery

The journey to overcome addiction is enriched by the exploration of art and music therapy, offering unique pathways for healing and self-expression beyond traditional methods. These creative practices provide a voice for the unspoken and shape the intangible; they are essential tools for individuals to navigate their emotions and experiences. Art and music emerge as beacons of hope, leading to a newfound understanding and emotional resilience. This article from Carole A. Feuerman shares more:

Considering Inpatient Treatment

For many, the decision to seek inpatient treatment marks a pivotal step in the recovery process. While concerns about costs and logistics are valid, it's important to weigh these against the comprehensive support offered by the best New York City rehab centers. Considerations like the quality of accommodations, accreditation, treatment methodologies, and feedback from past patients can guide you in choosing a facility that aligns with your recovery goals.

Also, many facilities accept health insurance; check with your provider to see if rehab services are covered under your policy. Incorporating creative therapies within the structured environment of inpatient treatment can significantly enhance the healing journey.

Expressing the Inexpressible

Art and music therapy provide unique platforms to articulate deep-seated emotions that words alone may fail to capture. These forms of therapy act as conduits for emotional release, enabling you to explore and express your feelings in a safe and supportive environment.

The act of creation, whether through brushstrokes or melodies, becomes a reflective process, mirroring the complexities of your inner world. This expressive freedom is not just liberating but a fundamental step toward understanding and healing.

Cultivating Calm

The rhythmic brush strokes on a canvas or the soothing harmonies of a melody can significantly diminish stress and anxiety levels. Art and music create a sanctuary where the mind can wander away from the turmoil of addiction, offering a peaceful retreat.

This engagement nurtures a sense of calm and contributes to overall well-being. As you immerse yourself in creating, you'll find that stress dissolves, replaced by a tranquil state of mind that supports recovery and personal growth.

Reflecting for Personal Insight

Art and music therapy provide a profound journey of self-exploration that reflects your deepest emotions and behaviors. This form of creative expression unveils insights into your psyche, revealing patterns linked to addiction and fostering a crucial process of self-discovery. Such reflective practices lead to personal empowerment, laying the foundation for a transformative recovery.

Building Confidence Through Creation

The journey of creating art or music is inherently rewarding, instilling a sense of pride and achievement. This creative process boosts self-esteem, as each completed work reflects personal accomplishment.

Over time, this builds confidence, empowering you to face challenges with a renewed sense of self-assurance. As you continue to explore your creative abilities, this newfound confidence becomes a cornerstone of your recovery, encouraging you to set and achieve goals beyond the realm of therapy.

Fostering Mindfulness and Inner Peace

Engagement in artistic and musical activities promotes a focused state of mindfulness, where attention is anchored to the present moment. This practice of mindfulness through creativity offers a break from habitual thought patterns associated with addiction, leading to relaxation and inner peace. As you become more absorbed in your creative pursuits, you'll notice a shift toward a more centered and peaceful state of being, enhancing your capacity for emotional regulation and resilience.

Achieving Purpose and Positivity

Completing a piece of art or a musical composition provides not only a tangible sense of accomplishment but also reinforces the value of setting and fulfilling personal goals. This sense of achievement fosters a positive outlook, motivating you to pursue further objectives and engage in constructive behaviors. The satisfaction derived from creative accomplishments lights a path toward a future filled with purpose and optimism, countering the despair often associated with addiction.

Conclusion

Art and music therapy enrich the addiction recovery process by addressing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual facets of healing. By embracing these creative therapies, you embark on self-discovery and transformation, navigating through challenges with resilience and grace.

The journey toward recovery is deeply personal, yet through the universal language of art and music, you find a shared experience of hope and renewal. As you continue to explore these expressive outlets, you reclaim your life, empowered by the profound connections between creativity, healing, and growth.

Written by Tanya Lee

WHY DO WE NEED PEACE OF MIND

Harmony and peace of mind is one of the fundamentals for finding a complete and happy life. Besides, we feel more confident and fuller of energy when we have inner peace! It’s a state when we are attentive, balanced, and conscious. Being in tough situations or circumstances that are not comfortable for us, we got disturbed, and peace begins to leave us. However, having resumed classes that can help us find inner silence, life gradually improves again. Also, many people pass through this phase and with this we can conclude: “If you don’t have time for rest, it means that it is necessary for you.”

Why do we need peace of mind?

Peace of mind teaches us to be in accord with oneself and with the whole world and talks about striking a balance. If you compare the soul with a musical instrument, then the inner calm state is when the strings of the soul sound naturally and harmoniously. The sound is pleasant and soothing for everyone! But when you are tense and fussy, the music will be unnatural, strained, and unpleasant.

When we have peace of mind, we are full of positive energy and in a good mood! Also, we efficiently manage to resist the sickness and bad attitude of others, and we perform better at doing any work. Peace makes us more creative; we investigate better and solve problems faster. When peace of mind is gone, we get out of balance,  and the energy drops, we attract illness and depression. During this internal stress, we do not get much of what we would like, and we commit more mistakes.

Every time we get angry, fuss in vain, or fall into depression, etc., we seem to spill negative energy from our vessel of the soul. When we are happy and balanced, we give off positive energy. Therefore, think twice before the next time, carelessly, you get out of yourself, start to get angry, nervous, think negatively, speak, and fuss about it in vain.

Peace of mind is a natural state for anyone; that’s why it is so essential and desirable for us! When it goes away, we begin to experience uncertainty and discomfort. Besides, on the subconscious mind, we desire to return to this state. Just be yourself or take a walk in the garden to restore spiritual harmony.

Many times, this inner peace is confused with lethargy, apathy or laziness. But it is not the case! You can make an external activity while maintaining inner peace. If you wish to protect yourself from adversities, you have chosen the wrong planet. Instead of protecting yourself from such problems face them with a peace of mind and move on!

LEARNING ABOUT SCULPTURE

Sculpture has not really received the attention it deserves compared to painting, photography, and modern Even intellectuals and philosophers of art do not recognize how difficult it is to make a sculpture art. Sculptural art stands out in its own classical and contemporary forms. Those who make it, know how difficult and delicate it is to make figurative sculpture art of a person. People over the years have raised questions about its ontology, representation, and person character. Thus, they should truly appreciate the painstaking process it takes to make a truly remarkable sculpture art worth admiration.

 The History of Sculpture Art

 Before the 20th century, sculpture art was widely received and admired by people, especially in the Vatican City of Rome, where different sculptures portrayed angels and demons for the representation of religion. It became more than a tradition as all sculptures in the western world where the representation of celebrities. More and more sculptures began to be made as freestanding objects. As its progression grew, sculptures were made on famous old buildings and altarpieces. Sculptures are mostly made out of durable materials such as stone, bronze, plaster, and wood. 

 Much Deserved Recognition

 As modern forms of art began to make their mark in digital, photography, materialism, sculpture making practices began to slow down over the years. Many sculpture statues and abstract works of Barbara Hepworth and Louise Nevelson are still appreciated but represented imaginary objects. The most intriguing thing about sculpture art is that they represent a world of its own. A single sculpture can define a whole story, whether it is an imaginary object, a historical figure, or a celebrity. 

 They are even famous for describing an environment, as we explore the meaning through them. Some sculptures can even tell secret coded messages or mysteriously point at something of importance, as shown in famous movies like National Treasure and Angels and Demons. However, the treatment and the making of a sculpture is exceptionally delicate and expensive. Many people aim to distinguish the traditional divisions and importance of sculptures from paintings and architecture. Some have even discredited it as performance art. However, sculptures more than just figurative statues or three-dimensional non-art objects. They define a whole new meaning of art by its complex contours and should be held in high regard regarding its admiration and appreciation.

IS HYPERREALISM AN ART OR SKILL?

Art is generally perceived as a way of detachment from the real-life, a key to revealing some invisible meaning in the world that surrounds us. Besides, it is not entirely true for all the genres of art like Hyperrealism, where the thin line between reality and art is virtually erased in sculptures and paintings these artists create. Numerous branches of realism are focused on producing artwork that resembles a real-life image; some out of them even go further and beyond.

Labelled as a significant advancement of Photorealism, the newly established style still contains some elusive differences from its predecessor. Also, the photorealists aimed to reproduce photographs as precisely as possible so the human eye could not differentiate between the original and the painting. At the same time, the Hyperrealists took the technique even further. They have developed ways of including charm narrative and emotion into the image. As the saying goes “Hyperrealism may create the atmosphere of surrealism as no one sees the world in such detail.”

Concisely known as Superrealism, the term Hyperrealism stood on the bases of the US photorealistic work of the late 1960s. Still, to create Hyperrealism, you must go over and above, past the current level, which is precisely what Hyperrealism artists did. So, how did it go? Did they stray beyond the line of art, where their work became a just an example of superb skill, or did they, blur the lines between art and reality, making way for a new hyper-artistic expression?

Difference Between Hyperrealism & Photorealism

The origin of the word Hyperrealism could be traced back to 1973 when the person named Isy Brachot fabricated for the first time as the title of a catalogue and exhibition at his gallery in Brussels. Besides, the exhibition involved influential artists like Richte, Gnoli and Delcol, but it was ruled by the American Photorealists such as Chuck Close, Ralph Goings, Don Eddy and Robert Bechtle. After the event, the term Hyperrealism was used by painters influenced by the Photorealists. Following the roots of Photorealism, the newly developed branch of realism managed to portray the images in an ultra-realistic manner. Besides, it was in contrast with the approach used in the traditional paintings of the late 20th century. 

Also, Hyperrealism artists relied comprehensively on photographic pictures as a reference source. Still, they took it one step ahead, pointing to create a more detailed and definitive rendering, often containing a certain amount of narrative and emotion. Whereas Photorealists inclined to imitate the photograph, Hyperrealistic artists struggled to achieve a different pictorial design altogether. They achieve it by integrating an element that may not be there in reality. Besides, they intentionally entailed a softer and much more complex focus on the portrayed subject, creating an impression of a new reality not seen in the original photograph. Still far from being surreal, the portrayed illusions were captivating representations of reality, finely enhanced with a fresh layer of vision.

Conclusively, Hyperrealism offers an extremely effective means of exploring how we, as individual interact with ourselves, and with others from our everyday lives. For this specific reason, artists have the freedom to use Hyperrealism in portraying humans through an array of lenses ranging from the social, political to the psychological, aesthetically, external workings of the human mind and body.  

HOW TO UNDERSTAND MEANING AND CREATIVITY IN ART

Art is a dynamic phenomenon that keeps on changing, first as a visual in the artist’s mind and then as a creation. However, art can only be created by those who have a sense of it, so it is necessary to find and define the meaning and creativity in art. Finding meaning and creativity in art is not an easy task, as much has already been inquired about it through artistic expressions. One must understand its implications through creativity, aesthetic forms, imagination, color, and expression. Defining the meaning and creativity of art is difficult, as many people can view it based on their perception. Many philosophers, theorists, critics, and artists have argued about having the best approach to understanding art, meaning, and creativity.

Famous Artists of the World

It still emerges as a question in contemporary literature. True artists who have a greater understanding of art can attempt to determine the meaning and creativity of art, as they have spent their entire lifetime to view and understand art. Artists like Carole Feuerman, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Edvard Munch, Claude Monet, Edward Hopper, Frida Kahlo, and many more. These artists can easily express their art and define its meaning and creativity. Art is always meant to be appreciated even when it may appear controversial or disturbing, as there is always a hidden meaning behind it. Art can only be appreciated by those who can understand and enjoy art. The best way to appreciate art is to understand its meaning and creativity from a different perspective, and not just look like different shades of color aesthetics.

 Does Art Need to be ‘Understood’ or ‘Enjoyed’

 Most people argue that art needs to be enjoyed rather than understood. Just like life is simply meant to be experienced. However, the more we understand anything, the more we learn how it can enhance our experience. To have a deeper understanding of art, its meaning, and creativity, we need to understand that art is more than just a visual expression. It can also represent an idea, experience, imagination, a thought-provoking subject, or even invoke motivation for the viewer.

 It can be made by using different techniques, materials, technology, or even ideas. More importantly, an artist needs to have the ability to bring his thoughts, ideas, and imagination onto the canvas, a patch or a paper, through the use of different materials. Mere novelty is not enough. He or she must have something unique, relevant or unlock a new way of imagining or thinking. It can be difficult, but true artists find it to be intriguing to bring their imagination and ideas through the use of art. Many have accomplished so much more than just money through their artworks. Many of us may even think that creating art only belongs to those naturally gifted. However, every one of us has some level of creativity and potential or even some unique talent that we may not know. You just need to find and exploit it, just as an artist does with their paintings. One must understand to find its meaning and purpose.     

 Defining Meaning and Creativity in Art

 Most of us can view art as a product, but true artist finds their work to have a profound meaning and can easily define the creativity behind it. Art is not something that can be created by merely thinking about it. There is a thought process behind it. For example, the famous painting, Mona Lisa, by Leonardo Da Vinci, is believed to be painted between 1503 and 1506. The painting itself has captured the fascination of millions of people around the world. The artist claims that he wanted to capture the enigmatic facial expressions of Mona Lisa’s smile, but there are more hidden messages and creativity behind this painting. Many have argued that the painting reflects the idea of establishing a link between humanity and nature.

 In contrast, others think her smile is fake or forceful, yet it appears to be alluring. Many historians, philosophers, and thinkers have argued over its hidden meaning and creativity, but none have achieved its conclusion. Yet, the painting has inspired millions of people to still look and think upon it. As art is taken as an expression, it can give out a unique meaning and creativity.

To learn more about art and its meaning and creativity, I would recommend my book ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy”. I have motivated many people around the world through my story and my art. I tell about how I was inspired to become an artist. I also explain how I never gave up on my dream to become an artist, as I started painting on the floor and decided to nurture my gift since the age of ten by perfecting different art techniques. I founded the Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation, and my artworks are owned by 20 museums. I am also one of the three founding members of the hyper-realist movement that began in the late ’70s and still exists today.  

FEARS THAT MAY DESTROY AN ARTIST

Real-life fears are much creepier than embellished scenes from horror movies, like a killer doll or flesh-eating zombies. The common fears cause more discomfort than the average spook and are more complex. For any person with the fear, it can be devastating, preventing the victim from living wholly or causing him/her to create a routine focused on avoiding the fear triggers. Besides, tolerating the feelings that come from triggers isn’t even a question, as they are known to make the person feel like he/she is in a life-threatening situation. Therefore, this article highlights the fears that may destroy an artist.

1)    Self-Doubt

It is possibly the number one fear of a creative professional.  After all, we don’t create necessities but luxuries for the most part.  As much as the art enriches our lives and the lives of others, it remains something that we (at least as customers) could perhaps live without. The solution for self-doubt is shockingly not a success. The world is filled with successful and famous artists, musicians and writers, and who are still riddled with depression and feelings of self-doubt.

Therefore, artists must find a way to live with such doubt and value the creative process as much as the artwork itself.

2)    Originality

While it might be true that all the great themes and literature in art have already been done over a thousand times, it’s always possible to bring something entirely new for the process.

Let’s accept it, artists and writers and have been borrowing from their ancestors since there has been a thing called art. So, originality is the second fear that may destroy an artist. 

3)    Idea Stealing

One of the main fears that artists have is selling their work online.  It is because they are afraid that people might steal their work or ideas.  No doubt this happens, and that’s why many artists give this excuse to stay out of the online market altogether. While this is undoubtedly a real problem, you also have to understand that these parasites are a minority of the online population. Rest of the people are looking at your work online and have no intention of stealing your work; they are thoroughly enjoying it and perhaps, just interested in buying it.

4)    Satisfaction

No artist is ever wholly satisfied with their artwork.  Some pieces they may always like better than others, but the pursuit of perfection is like a mirage that keeps them creating. If you ask an artist what piece that the made that they like the most, they will say it’s one there doing now or the next piece.

In conclusion, these fears are just an illusion that may eventually consume them if they let them.  Also, they will never get to the next stage of development as an artist unless they overcome their fears. 

CHALLENGES YOU MAY FACE AS AN ARTIST

Let’s look at an artist’s artwork that is gaining popularity every single day. Due to high competition, and the fact that most artists work alone, they may experience challenges, and at times, they may experience the feeling of loneliness. However, we as a society, must learn to appreciate and support artists in all facets. Therefore, this article highlights some of the common challenges faced by artists worldwide.

1)    Finding Aspirations

Many times, artists find it hard to find their aspirations. They don’t have enough capacity to create everything perfectly all the time. Sometimes, they need aspiration to make perfect art. Therefore, it is recommended to stay as far as possible from any mental consumption to let the artwork take over your soul and transform you into a more profound person. 

2)    Keeping Up with The Talent

Keeping up with talent is the two-edged challenge every artist experiences. However, talent or skills never vanishes and never fades away, but it needs continuous practice. There can be different levels of your talent, and if you reached an advanced level and stopped practicing you might find yourself back to being a beginner all over again. Also, that would be a nightmare to any person, because of every single improvement counts, big time. So, keep on practicing, you amazing artists and believe that your talent has no limits.

3)    Self-trust

Being an artist, you may relate to the feeling that you are not creative enough. Also, the definition of creative can be different to different people. Therefore, it is essential to understand your definition of creativity. Many artists feel that they are not good enough after comparing their work with others or because they have been in the field for quite some time. Therefore, you must trust your artistic skills and show what you have to the whole world. 

4)    No Response

Exploring your target audience can be challenging; that’s for sure. We all sometimes fear not getting enough response we’re dreaming of, but that doesn’t mean we should be relying on it. We know, it can be hard sometimes as feedback plays an essential role, especially at the beginning, but that’s not the only indicator for your talent or success. So be ready for getting no response sometimes. 

5)    No Sale Plans

Adequate planning is the path to sales. Your plans can help you concentrate on the mission and allows you to attain objectives faster. However, without a plan, you may not sell enough. It is as well significant to check how others are selling their work. Today the galleries and malls are not the only sale points; there are other platforms such as social media where you can upload and sell your all your work.

In conclusion, the solution to such challenges is to realize that your work is perfect the way it is. Also, the key is not to perfect something all the time. The key is enjoying the journey. However, by spending some time on these challenges, any artist can overcome such challenges. 

APPRECIATING ART - WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Art is not meant to be overlooked. People need to appreciate it, admire it, and be inspired by it as it can teach us many things that we can’t even imagine. Art is meant to be looked at for what it is, as it tells us who we are and what we can become in the eyes of the beholder. Art can stimulate thought and reason. That is why it is known to have brought a revolution in many cultures. It can stimulate ideas as it allows viewers to draw their own emotions in their thoughts and pull from their personal experiences as they encounter them. Art can be influential in a way as it naturally develops critical and innovative thinking skills. That is why children in their early ages are inspired to draw and paint. Art also teaches us many important qualities such a listening, observing, and responding to multiple perspectives. That is why art should be admired and appreciated by people from all different walks of life. There is a lot more you can learn about art and artists by reading the real-life account of an inspiring artist Carole Feuerman from my book ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy’. My book can teach us and all the inspiring artists out there the importance of art and how you can take inspiration from it to learn how to live your life.

 Appreciating art is important because it can discuss an idea, an expression or even an imagination. Art can help to identify, define, and discuss images with certain principles. Such images and designs are used in way to inspire the viewer through visual communication. When an artist creates art, he or she can work with either traditional or modern mediums. Such mediums can include paintings, pictures, materials, blocks or even visual strategies. An artist must follow the basic principles of design and learn different types of representation of art. Remember, art always matters when it is appreciated by its viewer. 

 The Importance of Art

Art matters in terms of visual effects. For example, let us study the Picasso Guernica’s painting, which was completed in 1937. Any viewer at the first glance will know how incredible, challenging and complex work it appears to be. It would easily convey a composition and understanding of art itself. If anyone needs to make an interpretation of art, he needs to understand that art in a way can easily:

 -        Inspire or motivate the viewer

-        It can identify and describe the difference between the form and content used in the art

-        It can identify the five elements of design

-        It can identify and distinguish how design principles can connect visually

-        It can differentiate between different representations of art such as realistic, abstract or non-representative art forms

 Art is the best way to visualize or analyze any content. It can define different elements and principles of a subject. When we look at any piece of art in an exhibition, museum, or forum; we can certainly decipher its expression, idea, or even learn through a lifetime or culture of the era that the piece was created. Therefore, art is formed through a lifetime of knowing about a culture or the times in which people have lived. You can easily select the piece of art which inspires you most and even take mental notes while analyzing its conceptualization. 

 Art and its Elements of Design

 Art is a combination of various elements such as color, shape, texture, line, shade, mass and space. Certain design principles are kept in mind to combine or intermix such elements while creating a piece of art and making it unique and captivating. The artwork and its content are made by linking the elements together to make a deeper meaning. 

 Art and its Meaning

 Art may be described as a process that allows us to reflect and consider the meaning of different things and concepts around us. It can be a representation of ideas, imagination, expression or even culture. The deeper your analysis is, the better you can connect with the experience and knowledge of the artist.  You can even take inspiration from Carole Feuerman and her book, ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy’. In her book, she describes her life experiences, how she fell in love with art and what inspired her to become an artist. This book is a must-read for all those who are inspired or motivate to become an artist, those who have a deeper connection with art and its elements.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHOTOREALISM AND HYPERREALISM

Art is generally perceived as a way of detachment from the real-life, a key to revealing some invisible meaning in the world that surrounds us. It is a means of communication. But it isn’t entirely true for all the genres of art like hyperrealism, where the thin line between reality and art is virtually erased in sculptures and paintings these artists create. Numerous branches of realism are focused on producing artwork that resembles a real-life image; some out of them even go further and beyond.

The fundamental contrast between Hyperrealism and Photorealism is in the artist's approach to their work.  While photorealists aimed to reproduce photographs as precisely as possible so the human eye could not differentiate between the original and the painting, the hyperrealist artists insert narration and feelings into their work. Labelled as a significant advancement of photorealism, the style of hyperrealism still contains some elusive differences from its predecessor. At the same time, the hyperrealists took the technique even further. They developed ways of including charm, narrative and emotions into the image. As the saying goes “Hyperrealism may create the atmosphere of surrealism as no one sees the world in such detail.”

The origin of the word hyperrealism can be traced back to 1973 when Isy Brachot fabricated the title for a catalogue and exhibition at his gallery in Brussels. The exhibition involved influential artists like Richte, Gnoli and Delcol, but it was directed by American photorealists such as Chuck Close, Ralph Goings, and Don Eddy. After the event, the term hyperrealism was used by sculptors influenced by the photorealists.

Hyperrealism is a movement I originated along with Duane Hanson and John D'Andrea, in the 1970’s.  We created sculptures that resembled a photograph from a distance, but when up close, they were three-dimensional works of art. The sculptures were more than technique. We took it one step further, to create a more detailed and definitive rendering, often containing a certain amount of narrative and emotion.

Conclusively, hyperrealism offers an extremely effective means of exploring how we, as individuals, interact with ourselves and with others from our everyday lives. For this specific reason, artists have the freedom to use hyperrealism in portraying humans through an array of lenses ranging from the social, political to the psychological, aesthetically, external workings of the human mind and body.  

 To create hyperrealism, you must go over and above, past the current level, which is precisely what hyperrealist artists did. So, how did it go? Did they stray beyond the line of art, where their work became a just an example of superb skill, or did they, blur the lines between art and reality, making way for a new hyper-artistic expression?

THE ART OF SCULPTING

Sculpture is that art that stands side-by-side with other expressive forms of art such as painting and photography to convey the yearnings and emotions of humankind. Besides, the human body has been one of its preferred subjects to recreate.

 Sculpting artists have shown representations, ideas and obsessions about the human body all over the centuries. Such sculptors were and are passionate observers of the human anatomy as they see it on the surface. Also, concept of symmetry, balance and movement are conveyed with human body sculptures according to the impression of the artists. Other forms of sculpture that are more contemporary can be, light works, multimedia, abstract forms or found objects.

The pieces of art, carved in different materials like wood, clay, marble, steel, bronze, concrete, and many others are either executed in realistic, life-like depictions. Some artists must be keen observers of the unique differences between the male and female anatomy because they exclusively and elaborately sculpt the separate uniqueness to their sculptures. The other artists creating public works must be able to make sculptures that are archival, will withstand the elements, won’t fall over, be earthquake proof, and have no sharp edges that would hurt the viewer.

Sculptures & Other Art Forms

The sculpture is a three-dimensional art, having width, length, and height. It can be performed on any material that can be carved bit by bit. Comparatively, painting expresses art through a surface. Any artist can also paint on any surface that he/she desires like a canvas or even a wall. However, it’s two-dimensional and doesn’t interject into space.

Besides, photography is the art form somewhat like painting because it’s also two-dimensional. But you can walk around a sculpture and still see parts of it; however, you can only walk in front of a painting or photograph to be able to appreciate it.

But both painting and sculpture take a much longer time to accomplish ranging from hours, days, months, or even years compared to photography. However, with digital photography, it only takes a few minutes or even seconds to take a picture that is art worthy. In this age of modernity, it still takes a few days to accomplish an art-worthy sculpture or painting.

 Sculpting Materials

When it comes to sculpting, any material that can be chiseled into a 3D form can be used. Also, many other materials can be used to make non- representational artworks. The sculptures that we are used to seeing last for centuries like those sculpted in stone, marble, bronze or steel. However, certain sculptures only last for hours like ice sculptures, which eventually melt after being appreciated for some time.

Classic Vs Modern

Sculptures from former centuries were fixated on tradition, biblical personalities and events. Their depiction of the human anatomy was almost, whether they emitted a positive or negative emotional depiction. Also, such sculptures were almost life-like in representation.

Conversely, modern sculptures also have realistic aspects of their form, but gradually, most present-day sculptures are in abstract form. And they don’t always follow old-fashioned sculpting of bodies with one head, two arms, two legs, one torso. Instead, artists distort such conservative human anatomy concept into portrayals as to what sculptors perceive in their subconscious and dreams. All of this makes sculpture as an art form more exciting as this art form continues to evolve.

HOW TO LEARN TO DISCOVER YOURSELF

Imagine waking up one morning and then realizing that you are sitting in your car while being all dressed up, showered, and drinking a hot cup of coffee. You may have no recollection of your conscious memory, about how any of this may have happened with you. We have evolved so many in the present era that we run into our day's complex routine procedures. It’s like that our mind is on autopilot mode, and our unconscious processes are so much faster, reliable, and more subtle than our conscious efforts, to comprehend and understand the world around us. As things revolve around us, we need to know much about ourselves to get through life as we know it.

Life is not a Ride but a Journey

Life is not a ride where you can just jump on the driver’s seat and start your journey, deciding on where to go and where you need to be. It is a journey of unexpected turns and twists. You may never know where you might end up. Learning to discover yourself is essential because you would know who you want to be and what efforts you need to achieve by exploring yourself.

Importance of Discovering and Exploring Yourself

When you truly learn to discover and explore yourself, you know about your passion, what you want to achieve in your life, what career choices to make, what you are good at, and what skills you have to accomplish your goals. It can also help you understand the people you are comfortable with to spend your time. You can tell them about the things which you prefer talking about and give information about yourself. Knowing yourself can help you drive your motivation levels about new things in life and be comfortable. You can incorporate new information or let it go.

 You cannot change without knowing yourself, and you cannot live in a world of change without changing yourself for the better.

Taking on Life’s Challenges by Discovering Yourself

Life will throw all kinds of troubles and difficulties at you, but you need to maintain your resolve and focus. To know yourself can gain you better benefits in life. It can lead to the results which you want as you can make the choices which suit you best. You just need to make a bit of effort to know yourself better. You cannot guarantee that you are smart, strong, or good, no matter how much you peel off your personality layers. One thing is for sure. The more you know about yourself, the more you can explore the things you are good at, the more opportunities you can gain in life and make the best of them. Try to learn different parts of your personality and explore what you like to do that works out well. Therefore, you don’t have to know the stuff and put it on autopilot in your unconscious.

6 Steps to Discover Your True Self

1. Be quiet. You cannot and will not be able to know yourself until you take the time to be still. ... It’s one of the most important skills you will ever possess. Once you know yourself, you will become more confident, you will understand your purpose, and you will begin to make an impact on those around you.

2. Realize who you truly are, not who you want to be. ... You can do this by meditation, psychoanalysis, or possibly astrology.

3. Find what you are good at (and not good at). ... make a list of what you like to do, and what you want to do.

4. Find what you are passionate about. ... Passion is the most important ingredient to finding out who you are.

5. Assess your relationships. Make sure you don’t hang out with negative people or listen to tell you what you that you aren’t good, or make you feel bad about yourself.

6. Discover your values and peruse your dreams.

You can learn more about yourself by reading my autobiography ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy”, soon to be published. The book intends to educate the readers about my success story and my tenacious journey to survive the odds through balance, perseverance, and independence. I have written my stories about how I overcame my fears to live a satisfying life. Whether by finding new work, achieving financial success or contemplating failure, fear has a special place in our emotional life. By compulsion, our minds are designed to let fear in; without it, we’d never survive. But how do we keep suspicion away from restricting our ability to fulfil our goals? Conquering fear is about self-awareness and understanding our inner strengths–often in the face of overcoming all the odds in life.  We can practice and cultivate these personality traits, and thankfully, it even gets easier over time. Go to my Foundation Boutique and order your signed copy now!

HOW TO BUILD RESILIENCE THROUGH THE ROUGH TIMES

When it comes to art, resilience is the capability of the art to maintain aesthetics, specifically distinguishing it from other objects. In arts, resilience appears as a response to gradually setting aside of beauty throughout the twentieth century resulting today in incompetence to define the work of art.

Resilience is a term generally used to how well we can deal with and bounce back from the hardships of life. Besides, it's about recognizing the difference between handling pressure and losing our cool. Resilient people tend to maintain a positive outlook and cope with pressure more efficiently.

Research has proved that while some individuals seem to be naturally resilient, these behaviors can also be learned. So, if you're going through a challenging time and want to be prepared for the next one, here are some techniques you can learn to foster your own resilience.

These are some of the things I do and recommed to get you through the rough times.

1)    Finding The Purpose

In the face of tragedy or crisis, finding a purpose can play an imperative role in your recovery. Besides, this is about becoming involved in the community, cultivating spirituality, or contributing to activities that you find meaningful.

2)    Believe In Yourself

Having self-confidence in your ability to handle the stresses of life can play an essential part in resilience. Becoming self-confident in your abilities, to respond to and deal with a disaster, is a great way to build strength for the future. Besides, research has confirmed that your self-esteem plays an imperative role in coping with stress and recovering from difficult events of life. Remind yourself about your strengths and accomplishments to face everything with courage.

3)    Maintain A Social Network

It's vital to have people you can confide in. Having supportive, caring people around you serves as a protective factor in times of crisis. Whereas simply conversing about a situation with a friend or loved one doesn't make your troubles go away, it enables you to express your feelings, receives positive feedback, gets support, and come up with possible solutions to all your problems.

4)    Stay Flexible

Flexibility is a central part of resilience. By learning how to be more flexible, you will be better equipped to deal when faced with a life crisis. Besides, resilient people utilize this crisis as an opportunity to find new directions. Although abrupt changes might crush some people, highly resilient people can adapt and thrive.

5)    Stay Optimistic

Maintaining a positive attitude during dark times can be difficult, but keeping a hopeful outlook is an essential part of resiliency. What you are facing may be difficult, but it's imperative to remain positive and optimistic for a brighter future.

Besides, positive thinking doesn't mean overlooking the problem to emphasize the positive outcomes. But, it's about understanding that these setbacks are temporary and believing that you have the skills to battle the challenges you face.

In conclusion, resilience might take time to build, so don't get disheartened if you still struggle to face problematic events. Remember that everyone can learn to stay resilient, and it doesn't require any specific set of action or behavior. Besides, resilience can vary intensely from one person to the next. Therefore, focus on practicing such skills, as well as the basic characteristics of resilient people, and remember to build on your existing strengths.

ART IMPROVES BRAIN FUNCTION AND WELL-BEING

Sculpture is that art that stands side-by-side with other expressive forms of art such as painting and photography to convey the yearnings and emotions of humankind. Besides, the human body has been one of its preferred subjects to recreate.

Sculpting artists have shown representations, ideas and obsessions about the human body all over the centuries. Such sculptors were and are passionate observers of the human anatomy as they see it on the surface. Also, concept of symmetry, balance and movement are conveyed with human body sculptures according to the impression of the artists. Other forms of sculpture that are more contemporary can be, light works, multi media, abstract forms or found objects.

The pieces of art, carved in different materials like wood, clay, marble, steel, bronze, concrete, and many others are either executed in realistic, life-like depictions. Some artists must be keen observers of the unique differences between the male and female anatomy because they exclusively and elaborately sculpt the separate uniqueness to their sculptures. The others artists creating public works must be able to make wsculptures that are archival, will withdtand the elements, won’t fall over,  be earthquake proof,  and have no sharp edges that would hurt the viewer.

Sculptures & Other Art Forms

The sculpture is a three-dimensional art, having width, length, and height. It can be performed on any material that can be carved bit by bit. Comparatively, painting expresses art through a surface. Any artist can also paint on any surface that he/she desires like a canvas or even a wall. However, it’s two-dimensional and doesn’t interject into space.

Besides, photography is the art form somewhat like painting because it’s also two-dimensional. But, you can walk around a sculpture and still see parts of it; however, you can only walk in front of a painting or photograph to be able to appreciate it.

But both painting and sculpture take a much longer time to accomplish ranging from hours, days, months, or even years compared to photography. However, with digital photography, it only takes a few minutes or even seconds to take a picture that is art worthy. In this age of modernity, it still takes a few days to accomplish an art-worthy sculpture or painting.

Sculpting Materials

When it comes to sculpting, any material that can be chiseled into a 3D form can be used. Also, many other materials can be used to make non- representational artworks. The sculptures that we are used to seeing last for centuries like those sculpted in stone, marble, bronze or steel. However, certain sculptures only last for hours like ice sculptures, which eventually melt after being appreciated for some time.

Classic Vs Modern

Sculptures from former centuries were fixated on tradition, biblical personalities and events. Their depiction of the human anatomy was almost, whether they emitted a positive or negative emotional depiction. Also, such sculptures were almost life-like in representation.

Conversely, modern sculptures also have realistic aspects of their form, but gradually, most present-day sculptures are in abstract form. And, they don’t always follow old-fashioned sculpting of bodies with one head, two arms, two legs, one torso. Instead, artists distort such conservative human anatomy concept into portrayals as to what sculptors perceive in their subconscious and dreams. All of this makes sculpture as an art form more exciting as this art form continues to evolve.

LEARNING ART FOR THE SAKE OF ART

Most people belonging to the academic world believe that art education instills creativity in children. While learning art, they feel that children begin to view the world differently. They start to enhance their skills and attitude towards innovation and creativity. In societies focusing on knowledge, art is the key to growth and prosperity, as it encourages opinions, different thought processes and gives people motivation to grow in their field. An artist can belong to an architectural firm, marketing or advertising firm, politics, economics, and even law enforcement. They develop their skills to think deeply about any particular subject and bring their thoughts and ideas into their work.

A person with artistic skills would be culturally sensitive and held in high regard. An art education affects the mind positively and lets your brain exercise through different thoughts like perceiving history, culture, tradition, colors, shapes, alignment, and lines. It can even enhance your performance in other academic subjects as mathematics, science, and reading, as art can keep your mind more prone to solve complex problems and situations.

Why Art Education is so Important

An art education is important because it can strengthen a student’s academic performance. A student would get a chance to learn and foster their creative ability and develop a habit of having a clear mind, and social skills necessary to today’s thriving societies. Unfortunately, the value of art and its education is slowly becoming less important with time, as more and more profitable studies are trying to make their mark. Art and its education are not as important as it was before. Along with people, artists need to justify their importance and presence in schools from an early age.

The education system worldwide also needs to educate about the skills required for any child if he or she aspires to become an artist. It is necessary to identify these skills and polish them in children. With skills like drawing and painting, a child would also be able to improve their writing skills and improve their judgement. Color and its psychology help the brain to exercise and develop clear thinking patterns without being cluttered. Art also helps anxiety, stress, and mental health.