Sep 6, 2014

After reading the attached article: WHY WE MAKE ART?" (Click here)
select one or more of the artists whose reasons for making art are most like your own reasons.  Write and post one or two paragraphs explaining why.  If your reasons for making art are unlike any of the featured artists explain how you differ.
Your response is due by MIDNIGHT, SEPT.14.


33 comments:

Goethalss said...

Art is very fun for me. In that way I am like Pete Docter: I enjoy the process of coming up with an idea and attempting to portray it using some sort of artistic medium. Art is also a means to finding a peaceful place. In this way I am similar to Kwame Dawes. Doing art helps to slow the churning of my brain and clear the jumbled thoughts from my mind. It is a time in which I can just be. It somehow is the most emotionally and psychologically engaging activity I can participate in without having to make myself think. Art is a peaceful and calming abyss.

KSolis said...

To me, art is one of the most fun thing to do and I find it to be the most engaging subject in school. Whether it be drawing a picture or building a sculpture, the whole process is engaging and in a way, very relaxing. I think that for this reason, I am like Pete Docter. I would also agree with James Sturm, however, when he says that “the reasons are unimportant.” If someone wants to make art to relieve stress or just because they are bored, then that’s okay too. Whatever the reason, there’s still some kind of motivation that drives people to create art, whatever they define that as.

Izabel C said...

Personally, I think I'm most like Harrell Fletcher. I like his idea of there not being a true definition to art because that is totally true. Art any be anything and everything such are drawing, writing, or doodling. There should be no right or wrong way to do art as long as it is fun and what you want to do. I also think that I am like Pete Docter because it is always fun to just make things. I like to not have to think really hard about how to make art because art should be easy to make in a sense.

Izabel C said...
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Brenda Quach said...

I believe that art is a way to express yourself when sometimes words cannot. We as human beings experience such complex emotions and thoughts that cannot be fully explained or understood in sentences. The reason I make art is most like Gina Gibney; art is something that can be felt and experienced. Making art is something physical; you make it with your body. And in that process, you pour your mind and soul into it, capturing your essence without words or explanation.

Maddie Nash said...

I like art because I am free to express the emotions I currently possess or wish to possess while having a good time. That being said, I think I am most similar to Pete Docter and Judy Dater. Although with Judy, I am less concerned about how the viewer interprets art and whether they feel the emotion I intended it to be. Art is more of an escape to let out frustration or happiness rather than geared towards the viewer, it is geared towards my emotions and what I want out of the time spent making it. Art is very therapeutic and relaxing and is a great way to unwind after a long, stressful day. That being said, letting out those emotions is fun! It is fun to experiment with different medias and techniques to see what makes the process more enjoyable in that moment. Art to me is more about the experience of the artist making it, rather than how the viewer is see and perceive it. It is a personal experience, not public.

Unknown said...

I make art because it's fun to make, and I can express myself freely, which is why I'm like Pete Docter. Like Pete Docter I enjoy the process of making art because it's fun, but it also creates a peaceful environment for me just to relax. Making art is my favorite escape from reality because when I'm making art I'm not thinking about the essay I have to write or the chores I have to get done. I'm like Judy Dater because I also like expressing emotions through my art, but unlike Judy I don't care if others don't empathize with the feelings in my art because all people interpret art differently.

Unknown said...

I would have to agree with Pete Docter's reasons for making art. Of all the classes I've taken I have enjoyed my art classes the most because they keep me fully engaged. I find joy in creating new things. It's really fun trying different types of mediums and using new materials. At other times art can be very calming and therapeutic for me. It helps me wind down and release stress.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

I think my views line up most with Peter Docter. I make art because it is enjoyable and creates a relaxing atmosphere. Life at Payton can be stressful especially considering the course load. I think art creates a way to forget about this and allows you to live in the moment. Our society is very fast paced and I think art helps slow that down and really provides people with a way to express themselves while taking a break from their busy lives. It also allows people to use their creativity without that feeling of being wrong because art is something that can never really be wrong which can put the mind at ease.

Alina Hillery said...

I really like what Pete Doctor said about art. Yes, art can be really deep and have underlying messages, but it is also just fun to make things. It's nice to see what you can come up with out of your own imagination. I also agreed with what Judy Dater said about being able to explore emotions through photography. Photos are special because you can capture a single moment and save that moment forever. The person's expression can be bring up so many questions about that person's life.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion. I am most like KRS-One because he expressed himself through hip-hop and so do I. Personally, I am a graffiti fan because it allows me to create beautiful words that are more than just letters on a wall, its a piece of art. The reason I prefer to express myself through hip-hop culture is because it has so many artistic components. You can dance,dj,rap,sing, create graffiti, or even recite poetry. Hip-hop is a culture that is very influential in my life and that is why I express myself through hip-hop.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion. I am most like KRS-One because he expressed himself through hip-hop and so do I. Personally, I am a graffiti fan because it allows me to create beautiful words that are more than just letters on a wall, its a piece of art. The reason I prefer to express myself through hip-hop culture is because it has so many artistic components. You can dance,dj,rap,sing, create graffiti, or even recite poetry. Hip-hop is a culture that is very influential in my life and that is why I express myself through hip-hop.

Unknown said...

I like art because I like to challenge myself in a different way. So much of my life has been dedicated to working in the school setting where the STEM classes are put at highest importance. I like using art to challenge that other part of my brain that I don't always have the opportunity to use. I also found myself relating the Pete Docter's perspective. For me, art is fun. I am not the best artist, but i enjoy the process of making something out of nothing, and learning new ways to express myself.

Miao Gong said...


I enjoy making art because there are some things I find that I can most directly communicate through visual means. There's no right or wrong in art and an artist has complete control over their creative modes. I find myself relating to both Judy Dater and Pete Docter. Art is fun and I have a really good time making it. It's also every expressive and I think that the ability to visually exhibit your emotions through art and have others respond to that differently is really amazing. You can tell a lot about a person through the art they make and as an artist, you can learn a lot about yourself through your art.

Unknown said...

From the article, I was most able to relate to Pete Docter’s reasons for making art. From past pottery classes, Art I, and Sculpture, I’ve concluded that I enjoy doing art simply because it is fun. I enjoy the process of developing an idea and expressing it using different materials. One of the reasons why art is so fun is because it’s so versatile. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s freeing and expressive unlike the other subjects. Art is also very personal. Some audiences may really appreciate a piece, while others may hate the same piece. Art has taught me think less of other people’s opinions and instead focus on my own abilities and personal satisfaction. Overall, art is a fun and calming experience for me.

Unknown said...

Isaac Gershberg
Sculpture 1

Harrell Fletcher said, “There is nothing intrinsic about art.” He defines art as anything you want it to be and believes that art has no definition, no preconceived notion. I entirely agree with this. The article ‘Why We Make Art’ presents a wide range of artists, and all of them have different answers to what it means to make art. I agree with some of their statements, and disagree with others. This goes to show how art is interpreted and connects differently with each individual person.
Personally, my reasons for making art relate most to James Sturm. I too feel that an “inner compulsion exists” that makes creating and looking at art so appealing. Making art is soothing and like therapy; it’s a coping mechanism. I feel good creating things and then seeing an end result. It feels like I have accomplished something. I am testing my imagination and pursuing my creative impulses. I think art is a physical representation of what is going on inside a person’s mind. Whether this physical representation is through words or sculptures, it is shaped and created by a person and shows something about them.

Juan Con said...
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Juan Con said...

Judy Dater is the like me when it comes to why we make art. Dates explains that she takes pictures of people so that whoever sees her photographs can feel every emotion she felt when she took it. I love the fact that she addresses landscapes also, because I also believe that they can express an emotion, but its much harder for humans to relate to a photograph of a landscape than an actual human being. Just like Dater I also enjoy taking photographs of people in whatever environment they are present in, but i think the hardest thing to do as a photographer is balance what you feel with what your subject feels or is doing. Many people do not consider photography as amazing as other forms of art, because they feel it only takes a camera and a push of a button. But so much goes into a photograph and people take so much more out of it. I think that photographs are a much more approachable form of art and emotions are more easily conveyed through them

Unknown said...

i think i am like Peter Docter because my way of making art is of the kind that just wants to enjoy it and enjoy the process leading up to the moment when i can show it to the world. The posses is where i put all of my emotions and feelings in to the work. and on that not i also think i am like Judy Dater. Art is where i can let the world see what is going on in my brain in a way that is natural to me and an outlet that i love #art.

Minh Nguyen said...

My reason for making art is similar to Pete Docter's. I make art because I enjoy it, not just the making but the end result. The experience of making art is not only fun during but also in hindsight, and the art I make is (almost) a permanent reminder of the things I've created with my own hands. I enjoy the process and enjoy learning new ones. It's always engaging and enriching experience, to be able to make something from almost nothing and enjoy it.

Unknown said...

For me I was like pete docter because i make art for the fun of it and the creativity that it gives me. i think of art as a way to let everything come out and a way for people to apreacheat what i have made. for me i all ways smile when some one has given me a comliment and it justs makes me want to make something cooler to make them happie. I also agree on james strum said because it does depend on the mood in witch im in. for exsample if im in a bad mood i will make some thing small and varry good or something dark. if im in a good mood i will make something bright and big so i do agree on what he said and that it all depends on factors.

Unknown said...

My perspective on why we make art, and why I personally make art, is somewhere between the opinions of James Sturm and Peter Docter. This is because I don't always have a reason to make art, I just make art for the sake of creating something I haven't made before. Yet more than that, I make art because it is a fun thing to do. In my mind it is an extremely satisfying and fulfilling experience, just to physically create something, and to learn from my mistakes to get better. I like to try to think of what my end product will be, but it almost never turns out like I expect it to be, and that's what is so fun about it. I am drawn in by the unpredictability of creation, even you don't know why you decided to create it in the first place.

Marta D said...

When it comes to my personal reasoning behind making art, Im most like Pete Docter and James Sturm. In most cases, I make art for the fun of it, just like Pete Docter. Making art is a form of stress relief, and a nice break from our daily lives. Yet the reasoning differs, and sometimes I put much thought into my art work. Some people simply like working with their hands and creating art pieces, and some create art that really has meaning and shows something that you cant express verbally. which is why I agree with James Sturm when he says that the reasons for making art are unimportant, all that matters is that you keep making it.

Unknown said...

Ultimately, I make art because it helps me relax and clear my mind, but like James Sturm, there are other reasons as to why I make art. I can relate to Sturm through this "inner compulsion" to make art. It is almost like an unconscious decision that is guided by current emotions and events. Because there are so many ways to describe the motivation of an artist, it doesn't matter what the motivation is, what matters is how the artist utilizes this motivation in his or her artwork.

Unknown said...

I am very similar to "Pete Docter: It’s fun making things" and "Kwame Dawes: An environment of empathy". Creating art gives me a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. I find joy in creating a challenging artwork because all my stress and frustration disappears. I enter a different mindset when creating art and find it relaxing and calming. Most importantly, art is about the individual. It allows me to express my emotions and perspectives into an artwork for others to see. Art is understood by everyone. We are able to get a glimpse of every part of the world by seeing individual's art from around the world. It is a universal language.

Imany Noel said...

My reason for making art is most similar to those of Pete Docter because he clearly states that it is fun making things and getting my hands messy but he also mentions that he loves when his art relates to the lives of human beings. I also agree with this because what's the point of making art with no meaning and one of the most important things to me us the human experience. I just love how people can go about their lives and one day they just realize that others experience the same daily struggles and hardships as them. But when art captures these little events life just becomes more well rounded and easier to understand.

Unknown said...

There are a lot of different reasons why different people make art, as shown in the article, and I would say that I identify the most with Pete Docter and Harrell Fletcher. Docter is absolutely right when he says it's fun making things. My favorite form of art would be anything to do with needlework. I think the thing that appeals to me the most would be the fact that I'm making something out of nothing. If you take a couple of needles and some yarn or thread you can take things that seem ordinary and make them into something really unique to you. No one will make anything exactly like it. The same thing goes with another one of my favorite art forms, music. When you take an instrument and play the notes off of a staff you create something beautiful, something that can move emotions in yourself and other people. Fletcher brings up a great point by saying that anything can be art. Usually most people think of needlework as something that older people do and some might not consider it to be a form of art. I disagree and think that it is one of the most impressive art forms there is because it requires the same amount of imagination and patience as any other work of art does. I like his idea that art and the concept of it has no limits and it could be whatever you want it to.

John Collins said...

Art is a thing I do for fun. Yes, i am serious about achieving a certain quality aspect when I make art pieces, but it extends the time I work on a certain piece and as a result, extends the fun I have with it. Art is something I do for fun, like Pete doctor. It could be a whimsical piece or a serious piece, it is something I like to have fun with in the end

Unknown said...

Why do I like to make art? Well I don't know the answer and frankly don't think I ever will. Just as James Sturm once said, "the reasons are unimportant". Art has many wonderful aspects and one cannot limit it's wonders to one reason or one reason only. Art is a way to express ones self in a area full of creativity and no judgement. When I'm making art, whatever type it might be, I feel much more open and at ease. You create whatever you can imagine and allow your mind to wander in the process. Ones life without art has little to no meaning.

Unknown said...

When I think of art, I imagine a wide variation of carefully made materials. I on the other hand, do it to to express myself and show who I really am. Its a way to keep myself grounded and remind me of who I truly am when I have all these influences around to tempt to change me. I can relate the most to KRS-One because he uses hip-hop as a way to keep him young while not growing up too fast. I like to take my time with things and sometimes feel I may be a bit behind the typical teenage girl but its just the way I view the world through different lenses and choose what will be my next step.

Unknown said...

Art is a great way to remember who I am. Although I enjoy the physical process of constructing pieces, looking back on old artwork is very interesting since it speaks of thoughts and emotions that I felt at the time of its creation. I completely agree with the artists who believe art to be a bridge between individuals and their communities. Regardless of different things that push people apart, the ability to relate to a piece of art of any form through its raw emotion helps to maintain a stronger sense of self and community. Nothing is more relaxing and fun yet personal and thought provoking as art making.

Anonymous said...

I feel like art is a way to vent as well as a way to make something and then be proud and claim it as your own, sort of like with a child. For this I feel I'd identify most with Dater due to the fact that she tries to tell an emotional story, which is the closest to what I'm trying to say.