Copyright © 2010 Alan Miles, Auckland, New Zealand.

Labelled with ICRA

As I have improved my own skills and developed more of a personal style, I have gradually come to have a personal definition of what art is - and what it is not.  I am not trying to suggest that I have the "correct" view on the subject, but my opinion quite naturally affects the subjects I choose and the way in which I work.

Art is created when the internal forms and textures of the artist's experience of a subject are expressed through the forms and textures of the work. To be "good", to "succeed", it needs to communicate this experience to the viewer.

When viewing other artists' work, I ask myself;

• Does it "connect" with me? By that I mean, does it communicate something to me that results in some emotional response - preferably positive.  If it connects with enough people in a positive way, a consensus that it is “good” art will be formed.

• Does the artist have a recognisable “body of work”? Is there some sort of consistency that indicates sincerity, integrity and skilful execution of an intention?

• Does the artist’s statement (if any) about the work have meaning for me?

• Do the artist’s biographical details (if available) help me to understand the work and therefore relate to it in a fresh way?

• Is it art that I could "take home" with me?  Would I want to?

With my own art, I pick a subject that resonates with my past experiences or dreams, and if the subject is a landscape, will choose one or more photographs to use as a resource. I normally choose photographs that connect in some way with the strong impressions and feelings that I want to express through the work.

Feel free to make contact with me: alan@alanmiles.co.nz