The Writing Dragon

the artist unique... 

great ideas for discovering your Creative Signature

I was browsing for interesting 'craft' related books (as Dragons occasionally do) and discovered this excellent work by Carmen Torbus (printed by North Light Books, 2011). The title caught my discerning Dragon eye...after all, every artist (and writer) desires to be unique and fascinating in their artistic presentation. A more common/well used moniker for this specific concept is "Branding". 

The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines a brand as a "name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers." The key term, I believe, is differentiate. 

You want to be different, to be recognized because of that difference.

the artist unique  approaches this idea in a manner both colorful and wonderfully applicable by concentrating on how to find the inspiration you need to create your own style, and by presenting some of the techniques utilized by real-life artists who have achieved their own creative signature/ brand. 

Oh, I love that term: creative signature! It has so much more flavor and energy than 'Brand'.  Creative flows off the tongue rich with prospects, full of potential - original, imaginative, inspired, inventive, resourceful, innovative... All aspects of artistic thought (whether arising from stylus or pen) spawn/explode/generate from the powerful activity of mental creation. A signature is a mark, a name, an autograph, a sign, a visual representation of the creative process.  Ergo, a creative signature is the creator/artist/writer's physical expression of whatever their inspiration has produced.  It is singular. Something no one else has done. 

All artists and writers learn the techniques of their craft, but in the learning do they subjugate their own originality? Ms. Torbus expressed it well: "I was great at following step-by-step instructions, but my artwork was often a replica of the project shown, a copy of another artist's work. Something was missing in my work--me!" She dedicated her book to that idea:

• I believe that signature style is developed through creative discovery and loads of artful play. I would like to dedicate this book to the seeker in you. Inside you is an artist with a style all your own. Trust that with a little encouragement and inspiration--paired with easy-to-learn techniques done your way--your creative signature will emerge.

This book introduces a variety of art techniques, some of which may not be applicable to your particular form of art. But it is the individually imaginative approaches by which each of the presented artists develops her ideas and the interesting methodologies of her application that you should peruse and consider. Some of them might just be the key to spark your personal moment(s) of creativity. 

A few interesting ideas:

• Draw with your eyes closed
• Develop an ink blot
• Draw with your non-dominant hand
• Work with a media you've never used before
• Find interesting photos in magazines or on calendars
• Use a 'master word list' of the words you love the most
• Try a technique you've never tried before 
• Grab a blank piece of paper and simply slop on the paint or the words...let it flow!

These ideas and methodologies could/should/would prove inspirational to your own creativity.  

The artwork pictured is bright and exciting and fun, the explanations worth noting.  My Dragon heart says 'Yes!' This book, the artist unique, is well worth the price to add it to your collection of artistic/craft/inspirational works. 

Check it out, my creative human pals...go forth and solidify your imagination to share with the rest of the world!

The Dragon has spoken.