Sometimes the Universe shows you things and signs like these cannot be ignored.
My first post will therefore consist of the importance of 'Lineage' and 'Legacy', read on....
It has been a challenge for me to rake the reins of my creative path (I often suffer a chronic lack of self confidence and low self esteem), which is why last week (and then again today) was so enlightening.
Last week, I was reading a book on 'The Euston Road School', a London based Art movement and realised that I am part of that Artist lineage. Let me explain, I am SOMEHOW related to Philip Wilson Steer normally described as the only English Impressionist (my Cousin is our family Genealogist and has the exact relationship info) who taught at The Slade School of Art in London, England. Philip Wilson Steer taught William Coldstream (founder of the Euston Road School in 1937). As well as being an incredible Artist in his own right, William Coldstream became Slade Professor and taught Euan Uglow who became another prominent British Artist. Euan Uglow also taught at The Slade and I, Sharon Steer, was one of his students. So, you can see that while reading this book I became rather daunted that I am part of this great lineage and that I seem not to be creating. You see, I don't have the right to STOP my creativity and break the link.
Then, today, I went to an exhibition at National Gallery of Victoria here in Melbourne of British Art in the 60's and realised that about 4 of the Artists featured had lectured me while at Uni (Peter Blake, Anthony Caro, David Hockney, Brigitte Riley) and that one was the Professor at The Slade School while I was there, Bernard Cohen.
These two experiences have made me realise I am part of a rather significant artistic lineage with a duty/responsibility to pass on this legacy and not let my creativity go to waste. I have my own unique 'Artistic Voice' and that I have no right to silence myself by not creating.
With these revelations in mind, I finally decided to begin this Artist's blog, perhaps not so much to share finished works but to discuss the day-to-day humdrum, works in progress, thoughts on the creative process (the reality of making Art, not the romanticism) and links to other Artists. Truth be told, I began to write here also in the hopes that this blog will motivate me TO create.
So, welcome to my humble home, I have big shoes to fill, BUT, I am finally stepping up to the plate - I AM AN ARTIST!
