From Fingerpaint to Fine Art: Outlining the 20 Year Evolution of One Artist
“Every artist was first an amateur.”
Great artists typically don't begin by producing stunning works of art on canvas.
When we think of great artists, we frequently imagine them easily producing stunning works of art. We imagine them effortlessly bringing their ideas to life on a painting, a piece of paper, or any other surfaces. The truth, however, is often very different.
The road to producing outstanding works of art is typically long and challenging for artists. The abilities and methods required to produce truly remarkable artwork must be developed over many years of hard work, dedication, and practice.
The idea that art is simple is among the most prevalent ones. Many people think they can produce magnificent works of art with little effort if they have a natural ability for painting or drawing. But this isn't the case at all. Natural skill is undoubtedly helpful, but it is only one part of the equation. The great majority of successful artists have put in many hours honing and perfecting their craft to the point where they are today.
Great artists need a strong work ethic in addition to their skills and techniques. To produce truly outstanding work, they must be prepared to invest the time and effort necessary. This frequently entails putting in long hours, overcoming obstacles and failures, and consistently pursuing artistic development.
There are benefits to all of this effort and commitment, of course. For many artists, the act of making art itself is a profoundly satisfying and meaningful experience. There is no feeling like the one you get from producing a stunning work of art.
So, the next time you admire a great work of art, remember that it likely took years of hard work and dedication to create. Great artists do not start by painting wonderful masterpieces on canvas; it actually takes years of blood, sweat, and tears to get there.
My name is Nicole Suptic and this collection showcases my journey as an artist through a series of self-portraits created between 2003 and 2023.
It's amazing to see how much I've changed and evolved when I look back on the self-portraits I've made over the years. I had only started to learn the fundamentals of drawing when I started making self-portraits in 2003. My self-portrait demonstrated my very limited skill set. This first portrait was imperfectly shaded, with crooked lines and wonky proportions throughout.
But as I kept practicing over the years, my self-portraits started to improve. I experimented with various mediums and methods until I felt more comfortable capturing the intricate details of the human face. My 2008 and 2010 self-portraits exhibit a significant improvement in my abilities, with more precise lines and much better shading.
I produced a great deal more artwork and developed as an artist in the years that followed. I actually experimented with a variety of approaches and methods and kept challenging myself to improve. I could only have imagined the level of mastery that is apparent in my self-portraits from 2017 and 2018 when I first started drawing portraits back in 2003.
Great art doesn't happen by accident, as I've learned from my own artistic journey. The abilities and methods required to produce truly exceptional artwork must be developed over many years of hard work, dedication, and practice. But the journey has been well worth it for me. I'm pleased with my growth thus far, and I look forward to where my art will lead me in the future.