"art n.1 a human creative skill or its application. b work exhibiting this. 2 a (in pl.; prec. by the) the various branches of creative activity, e.g. painting, music, writing, considered collectively. b any one of these branches. 3 creative activity..." -Illustrated Oxford Dictionary, 1998 (Oxford University Press, Dorling Kindersley, Reader's Digest)

The Rules of "Art" according to Roland Koch

Rules rules rules. Why did I attempt this? Aren't we all free spirits? Now to simplify things, I must impose this Rule: I am only going to discuss briefly why 'Rules' of Art exist, in the spirit of "The Definition of Art". (I'm not going to discuss reasons for the existence of 'Art', okay! That will come later.)

I ask: Should rules be applied at all? Come on! You know in your heart that every single human being on earth (where else?) lives by His/Her Own or Someone Else's Rules. Even thieves and murderers, whether they are still at large or incarcerated in jail. (Ha! I've just broken my stated rule. -Now back to the subject of art...) Now I, a painter-artist, want to paint anything I like. I have the freedom to do so. So I do. I paint. And I can continue to paint anything I want, anytime I want. Man! - Am I free or what! I can choose to paint realist, abstract, impressionist, any other -ism or -ist style I want. Use any colors, any brush, any medium, anything! Perfect Freedom!

But first I have to ask -and satisfy- these two questions: How? and Why? ("Aye, there's the rub!")

(1) How do I obtain and maintain this freedom to paint anything I want? Aha! By what means? Did you inherit a large sum that gives you this freedom? Are you already a famous painter and can live off your earnings? Are you a dependant person and live off someone else? Is painting just an affordable hobby while you earn an income from another kind of work? You can't just paint and paint without replenishing your physical means. Sorry for stating the obvious, but...

(2) Why have I chosen to paint? Aha! Do I want to create works that impress me, their creator? When I have painted them, what will I do with them? I shall probably frame them and hang them up in my home. But have I thought about what other people will think of them? Are their opinions important? Do I want to impress my friends and family with my efforts? What about the rest of society?

-And there's the Conflict: When an artist loves painting so much that all he wants to do is paint, then her thoughts turn to the idea of selling them in order to keep painting them. "I paint to sell, to paint once more"...

  • "I have chosen to paint works of art as my lifelong career. I have decided to earn a living as an artist."
  • "Why?
  • "Because I love painting."
  • (Now, this begs the query:) "How are you going to achieve this?"
  • "By selling my paintings to the public."
  • "OK, so how do you know that you will sell your paintings?"
  • "By painting what people like."
  • "And how do you know what people will like?"....

    -By learning about people. How? By being with people.

    Can it be more simple than that? Is this an honest approach? I think so. By understanding and following the norms and "rules" of the society from which you want to sustain your living and therefore your continued artistic efforts. If you want to paint according to your own heart's desires and not worry about 'what the people want', then let's hope that your desire coincides with others too! That can happen, if you already have an innate awareness of human hearts and needs. -And if you are part of that humanity. Otherwise, in your isolation you will only please yourself. God bless you.

    In the pursuit of true Art, the Means always justifies the Ends.

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