For Oil Paintings

I’ve been studying my artist blogroll, and I’m amazed by the creative drive each artist has, especially those who take the time to create oil paintings.  I love it when artists like robh (to be fair, he hasn’t posted any oil paintings in a while, but he does do them) or Michael Manley post their oil paintings which, to me, look and feel vivid, fresh and exciting.  In fact, they make me feel like I want to try my hand at oil painting again.  :) 

Once I’ve completed my commitment to NaNoWriMo , we shall see.  :) 

How Does One Define Art?

Who and what is an artist?  As far as I know, an artist is an unique individual who explores and communicates the environment within which she/he exists. 

I choose the word ‘exists’ because most artists are mobile individuals, who try to capture and communicate the essence of their experience, their being, their truth. 

The next question asks, ‘If an artist makes his/her living by selling/bartering their creations for money and/or foods and services, is their creation a peice of art, or is the creation a piece of the artist’s soul never to be reclaimed?’ 

If the answer is ‘true art can never be sold,’ then why buy it?  Why is there a need for ‘non-artists’ to buy, to purchase, to obtain that which cannot be sold at any price? 

Or maybe the ‘real’ question is, ‘Do artists truly create art for the pleasure of others?  Or do they create art for the pleasure of themselves?’