Okay in doing some reading on the web, I read that an Artist Statement is essential and often required if you hope to show your art in galleries or other venues. Just curious if anyone else has written one, as well, I have taken the time to write one and would love everyone's feedback on my Artist Statement. Here's my statement below:

             Scott Pack - Artist Statement

I must admit that I have never been one to fully grasp abstract art. I do not wish to criticize other mediums or styles of art, nor those artists that create these pieces of art work. For me personally, when I walk up to a piece of artwork I want to immediately recognize what the work’s subject matter is about.  Thus the reason my art’s subject matter is easily recognizable without the need to ponder or contemplate what exactly it is or what vision or message the artist is trying to convey to the viewer. Thus, my reason to create my artwork in a realism style.

My Work

When my youngest son Tyler first asked me to assist him with photographing a wedding I was more than happy to help. I purchased my first digital SLR camera kit and from that point on I fell in love with photography. As my subject matter progressed from weddings to other subjects, I began to feel there was something missing. Although my talents in painting could consist of creating paintings using a paint-by-numbers kit, I longed to create artwork that looked like paintings. Considering my only talents at the time consisted of skills with computers and my love of photography, I began to research ways to combine both talents and stumbled upon digital painting.

Although there are some critics that will say that a digital painting is not actually a true form of painting, I would beg to differ. Art as a whole has progressed over time using many different mediums and techniques. Cavemen used berries and other pigments and painted using their hands. Eventually art progressed to using brushes and oil paints. To me, art is art regardless of how it is created. As we are in a developing but highly technical society, why should paintings be delegated to old world techniques? Some may go as far to say that using photographs as a basis of my digital paintings is wrong. I beg to differ here as well because many well-known artists have used photographs as a basis for their final works. Norman Rockwell, for example, used photographs with posed models to create many of his works of art. And in my vain attempt to capture the world as it exists around us, I too use my photographs as a basis of my digital paintings.

And as I first stated I find the need to create my artwork using easily recognizable subjects and tend to avoid abstract works.

My Vision

Through my work I hope to invoke a sense of nostalgia. A euphoric journey for those viewing my work that brings out that awe and inspiration. My love of the artists that have preceded me, such as Norma Rockwell’s ability to capture the very essence of everyday life, or Theodore Rousseau’s ability to capture nature’s beautiful architecture inspire me in my own creations. To emulate the past’s great artists while placing my own spin is my vision and goal in creating my own creations.