I'm re-reading this book right now, Nishant, and I completely resonate with the journey of being self-taught in exploring art — especially when, back home, art is often sidelined as just a hobby or not even viewed as a viable career option. Artists like Bill, Gogh, Monet, Hopper, and Basquiat open windows to worlds we can only imagine, and in that journey, discovering O'Keeffe, Kahlo, and Carr feels truly healing.
Let us know how you're finding the book!
I absolutely love it for how it continually challenges me to deepen my interactions with art with a feminist lens. 😊
As I recently started my own self taught art journey, I focus on skills and techniques. But I did do a short art history course a while back, where we read The Story of Art by Ernst Gombrich - probably a little different to that of Hessel's which I will definitely look up. And there's only so much information you can take in, a lot of stuff is falling out the back of my head!
My favourite "old time" artist is Fernand Léger, and my current favourite moden artist is Anna Bucciarelli - whose botanical art is exquisite. And fine art can be elitist, where you are permitted to publish works which only those in the club can understand. I have an artist friend who painted latex on her shed wall, and ripped it off and hung it up in a gallery... I'm definitely not in that club and may not want to be.
And as for Rohan's shaved pate, most parents try to keep their baby's hair for as long as possible, but I'm sure that Rohan will have a decent head of hair soon enough!
I have heard of that book! One that I enjoyed was The Shock of the New. It was great but around the 45% mark I had to give up because it seemed like it was reading too much into nothings. Maybe that's just me, but it started to feel like a lot of the art world was just value created by stakeholders in order to have value. So like crypto!
To follow your example of an artists list: Maynard Dixon for his unique approach to landscapes; Georgia O'Keeffe for the sensual quality of her work. Even her watercolors on newsprint prompt one to reach out and touch it; and both Bill Watterson AND Lynn Johnston. I read Calvin and Hobbes as For Better or Worse every day and love how their drawings express the subtleties. Also love Wiley's Non-Sequitor and the artists of Zits. Wiley's razor wit cracks me up every time. The exaggerations in the drawings of Zits nails an over-the-top satire of teenaged boys.
Your list is actually pretty close to what I was introduced to in school when I was studying art. I can see how these artists influenced your compositions and your love of patterns. And you are correct that lists are the lists of the moment. Not a thing wrong with that, as your interests change (and they should and will) they will change because of your exposure to new ideas, techniques and art. Keep making lists, keep allowing yourself to be influenced, that is, after all what being self-taught is all about.
I’m currently reading and LOVE this book! And o want to emphasize that as someone who did go to art school, female artists still aren’t talked about. O’Keefe and Frida being the two most people know. Even in the intro of this book she states that it wasn’t until the 16th edition of “The History of Art” that a woman was mentioned…and that was just one!!! Another great book to read is mother artist. Often when women become mothers they’re forced to give up their art, another issue in the art community we should Be talking about 💕
I saw your IG story yesterday and immediately ordered a hardcopy. My inspirations are mostly contemporary women artists (regardless of their level of fame or medium) but I'm intrigued to learn more about those that came before our time. Thank you for the recommendation! Eagerly awaiting the book's arrival. (Also, do recommend more books or artists...another self-taught artist here)
And about mundan...Congratulations to Rohan! I'm sure it was tough getting him to sit still especially with the noise of an electric trimmer. It would have been scary too.
My daughter's mundan happened this April and she patiently watched Pingu cartoon the entire time. Later, she looked at herself in the mirror and was genuinely very happy to lose all that hair. She was born with almost 3-inch-long hair that I felt compelled to google if scalp and hair start growing towards the end of first trimester! There's no way I consumed that much protein as a vegetarian :D
Hi Mansi, I'm not one to recommend books on art, but there have been a few books that helped me. I will write about them soon. And congratulations on your daughters mundan as well! Starting with 3" of hair is quite a headstart! 😂
I'm re-reading this book right now, Nishant, and I completely resonate with the journey of being self-taught in exploring art — especially when, back home, art is often sidelined as just a hobby or not even viewed as a viable career option. Artists like Bill, Gogh, Monet, Hopper, and Basquiat open windows to worlds we can only imagine, and in that journey, discovering O'Keeffe, Kahlo, and Carr feels truly healing.
Let us know how you're finding the book!
I absolutely love it for how it continually challenges me to deepen my interactions with art with a feminist lens. 😊
I'm eager to learn from it and will definitely write about the experience. Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much! 🙏
As I recently started my own self taught art journey, I focus on skills and techniques. But I did do a short art history course a while back, where we read The Story of Art by Ernst Gombrich - probably a little different to that of Hessel's which I will definitely look up. And there's only so much information you can take in, a lot of stuff is falling out the back of my head!
My favourite "old time" artist is Fernand Léger, and my current favourite moden artist is Anna Bucciarelli - whose botanical art is exquisite. And fine art can be elitist, where you are permitted to publish works which only those in the club can understand. I have an artist friend who painted latex on her shed wall, and ripped it off and hung it up in a gallery... I'm definitely not in that club and may not want to be.
And as for Rohan's shaved pate, most parents try to keep their baby's hair for as long as possible, but I'm sure that Rohan will have a decent head of hair soon enough!
I have heard of that book! One that I enjoyed was The Shock of the New. It was great but around the 45% mark I had to give up because it seemed like it was reading too much into nothings. Maybe that's just me, but it started to feel like a lot of the art world was just value created by stakeholders in order to have value. So like crypto!
You probably already know this but Katy Hessel also writes a Substack called Great Woman Artist which is a fabulous resource…
I did not know that!
Hi ! I’m in Vancouver and a winter meet up sounds grand!
Wonderful, I will make plans soon. And I would love to have you at my open studio too.
To follow your example of an artists list: Maynard Dixon for his unique approach to landscapes; Georgia O'Keeffe for the sensual quality of her work. Even her watercolors on newsprint prompt one to reach out and touch it; and both Bill Watterson AND Lynn Johnston. I read Calvin and Hobbes as For Better or Worse every day and love how their drawings express the subtleties. Also love Wiley's Non-Sequitor and the artists of Zits. Wiley's razor wit cracks me up every time. The exaggerations in the drawings of Zits nails an over-the-top satire of teenaged boys.
I am not aware of the work of Maynard Dixon. Thank you for the recommendation!
Here's a peek:
https://www.wikiart.org/en/maynard-dixon/all-works#!#filterName:all-paintings-chronologically,resultType:masonry
Oh interesting, I'm sure I've seen this somewhere before! Such iconic American imagery.
Your list is actually pretty close to what I was introduced to in school when I was studying art. I can see how these artists influenced your compositions and your love of patterns. And you are correct that lists are the lists of the moment. Not a thing wrong with that, as your interests change (and they should and will) they will change because of your exposure to new ideas, techniques and art. Keep making lists, keep allowing yourself to be influenced, that is, after all what being self-taught is all about.
It's a wayward journey but it's all mine. 🥰
I’m currently reading and LOVE this book! And o want to emphasize that as someone who did go to art school, female artists still aren’t talked about. O’Keefe and Frida being the two most people know. Even in the intro of this book she states that it wasn’t until the 16th edition of “The History of Art” that a woman was mentioned…and that was just one!!! Another great book to read is mother artist. Often when women become mothers they’re forced to give up their art, another issue in the art community we should Be talking about 💕
I saw your IG story yesterday and immediately ordered a hardcopy. My inspirations are mostly contemporary women artists (regardless of their level of fame or medium) but I'm intrigued to learn more about those that came before our time. Thank you for the recommendation! Eagerly awaiting the book's arrival. (Also, do recommend more books or artists...another self-taught artist here)
And about mundan...Congratulations to Rohan! I'm sure it was tough getting him to sit still especially with the noise of an electric trimmer. It would have been scary too.
My daughter's mundan happened this April and she patiently watched Pingu cartoon the entire time. Later, she looked at herself in the mirror and was genuinely very happy to lose all that hair. She was born with almost 3-inch-long hair that I felt compelled to google if scalp and hair start growing towards the end of first trimester! There's no way I consumed that much protein as a vegetarian :D
Hi Mansi, I'm not one to recommend books on art, but there have been a few books that helped me. I will write about them soon. And congratulations on your daughters mundan as well! Starting with 3" of hair is quite a headstart! 😂
Thank you! Looking forward to my book order and your recommendation post.