Art is Competitive--Devon

What is exactly is “Art”? Art is an expression, art is subjective, and art is a skill. Art is knowledge, creativity, and Art is imagination. The concept of “Art” is a one that goes by many definitions, harboring many different meanings for many different people. Some think of art as the stereotypical activities of painting and drawing, some see art as performance or entertainment, to others art is feeling and expression. By dictionary definition, “Art” according to Merriam-Webster Art is a skill acquired by experience, study, or observation or the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects. According to Dictionary.com, “Art” is the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. Now, considering these three denotations of the word, can art truly be all of these subjective meanings given by others? Yes, it can. As proven by these two definitions art is many things, and being that art is something that can be created, it is and can be personal to those who create it. That personal element within the art that people create opens the door for Art to become more than the textbook definition that is it under. Art can become whatever the producer sees it as. As an artist myself, my art has always been important and intimate to me, and forms to become even more as I continue on my artistic journey. This then begs the question, what is my definition of “Art”? To me, Art is everything previously mentioned, and then something else. I believe that Art is and can also be seen as being competitive. 

As an artist myself, I strive to become better and better, the absolute best I can be. This hunger and drive to grow as an artist are what creates the competitiveness that I believe is a part of Art. The world is full of artists just like me who are doing things similar to me and are trying to obtain the same successes and positions that I am. As an artist working to enter in the Animation industry, the most competitive industry of them all, my craft now has to turn into something competitive. I must work harder and push further than others to solidify my spot. This opinion though, of art being competitive is still very unpopular. Many in the art community or art world believe that art is all about personal growth and not minding what anyone else is doing, sticking to just doing you and not comparing yourself to others. In any activity there will always be someone better or worse than you, this especially occurs in the arts. I agree with this wholeheartedly and believe it as truth. As a creator, you shouldn’t be worrying about what the next man is creating, only what you yourself are creating. But then what is my point? How can I believe in this but still have a competitive mindset to overcome my peers? I see it as so; when I view another artist who is in the same lane as myself, doing things relating to what I do, and even in relatively the same age range who are better than me, I get inspired. I get inspired to go the extra mile, put in the extra hour, and draw just that much more. In my mind, I tell myself “okay, if this person is already this skilled at this age, I have to push myself even harder to surpass them. Whether it is talent or skill.” Everyone is born with a certain amount of talent,

some more or less than others, but the skill and dedication are what keeps you. So if there is someone out there who possesses more talent than me, I’ve got to obtain more skill. If there is someone who possesses more skill than me than I most certainly have to obtain more skill. When I see these artists who are ahead of me I don’t view the situation as “I have to do what they do but better” or that I have to specifically compete with just them. I view the situation as, “Okay, this person is better than me, let me go ahead and grind just that much more and raise my standards a little.” There is still a bit of comparing here, but the effect isn’t as negative as comparing your art to someone else’s usually does. 

With Art many times producers or creators put themselves into comfort zones, making art that is only the most fun or easiest. You do not improve this way. You improve by stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things you normally wouldn’t do or like. Being competitive helps with this. If someone sees one of their peers who is better than they are stepping out of their comfort zone and challenging themselves to do different things, then they themselves can be motivated to do the same. This is why being Competitive in artworks, and how art can be and is competitive. Art is just more of a friendly competition. At the end of the day, Art is many things and many things to many people, but I shall argue that art isn’t just expression, study, creativity, or imagination, Art is also competitive.