2.1 Questioning Art

Questions and Considerations for a Portfolio

When making art, it can be helpful to ask yourself a series of questions to guide your creative process. Of course, feedback from external sources will help you, but if you yourself are unhappy with your work or losing some of its meaning, then what's the point, right? At this point, maybe you have a few concrete ideas for pieces or are in the middle of their creation. 

Here are some starting points to get you thinking:

What is my intention for this piece? What message or feeling am I trying to convey?

Your intention and message may change with time, and that's okay. However, recognizing that the piece itself will change with these alterations is important. Holding on to some physical part of the work may weaken your overall piece, and this is important to take in stride knowing the end result will be clearer and better!

What are the elements of art that I want to use to achieve my intention? How can I use color, line, shape, texture, and composition to create meaning?

This goes hand-in-hand with technique and skill training as well as practice. A line or a stroke in one color facing one direction may take your piece a whole new way than a different line in a different location! Every choice the artist makes should be purposeful, confident, and intentional.

How can I use my technical skills to execute my vision effectively?

Your technique will improve many times over as you continue to create and experiment in this course. This question suggests including new or more complicated techniques into a piece to help realize your vision. Your "artist's toolbox" is ever-growing!

What is my personal connection to this piece? How does it relate to my own experiences or emotions?

Your pieces should reflect your unique outlook and message on whatever you choose to represent. It should evoke some response from both you and any potential audience. If an artist has no connection to their work, then what makes the work their own?

How can I make this piece unique and distinct from my previous work?

Taking an advanced art class means you're developing on what you already know. Don't play the "safe bet"; instead, take every lesson you learn and every piece you see as fuel to better yourself and your portfolio. You can only take this class once; make the best of it that you can!

How can I push myself out of my comfort zone and try new things?

A new medium, a new style, or a new discipline altogether? Is there a meshing or an interlacing of your typical/chosen technique with something else you could try that could make your pieces unique and different? Art isn't always about taking the safe route, and remember, there are no mistakes!

How can I make sure that the piece is evocative and engaging for the audience?

Remember how important a piece of feedback is to any artist of any medium or any caliber. Take into account your prospective audience and try to make your piece as appealing as possible while still sticking to your artistic goals and visions. Boring your audience is never the goal, but neither is straying entirely from what you want to create! So hold your audience members dear to your creative process.

How can I make sure that the piece is a reflection of my artistic vision and identity?

Only you can answer this one! At the end of your creative period, it's important to sit with your work and ask yourself if you're comfortable perceiving this work as a part of you and your creative process.

Remember that art-making is a process, and that it's okay to make mistakes along the way. Asking yourself these questions can help you to focus your ideas and make more intentional choices as you create.