Unlocking Creative Potential: Exploring the Power of Creating an Art Series
What is an Art Series?
An art series is a collection of artworks. A simple series might focus on a medium or colors. Other collections are based on abstract concepts, emotions, nature, or social issues. A series can tell a story.
How Many Works Are Typically in a Series?
A small series might have three pieces. However, a series can have an infinite number of artworks.
Wildflowers of the Southeast Series
What are the Benefits of Working in an Art Series?
Working in a series has benefits for both the artist and the viewer.
Benefits for the Artist
Working on an art series keeps the artist focused. Usually, an artist has to do some research on their subject matter. For example, Moe researched the Cafe Wall Illusion before working on his Café Wall series. While working on my 100-Day Project of watercolor wildflowers, I photographed wildflowers in many places. Then, I researched each flower to learn more about them before I began painting. Before working on my seasonal series, I took classes to learn more about acrylics and making collage papers. I also researched plants and birds of the season.
While working on an art series, an artist gets better and better. Because of the research, an artist knows their subject matter well. The technique that the creator is using also improves. The bank on the left is the first Moe made about 35 years ago. The middle bank was made about five years ago, while the one on the right was made a month ago. Over the years, he has made just over 400 banks. While they are all beautiful, you can see that his technique has grown.
When working on an art series, you can often have more than one artwork going at a time.
Eventually, an artist working on a series can develop a body of work for which the creator is known. This makes it easier to get into galleries and to gain more collectors.
Benefits of an Art Series for the Viewer
Galleries usually show a unified body of work. For example, when I look at open calls for artists, I see galleries looking for artwork that fits into the following categories: Lands & Lifestyles: Art of the West, Hope, Curves, etc.
Viewers need to understand what they are looking at. A cohesive body of work does this.
Once a collector finds an artist they like, they know where to find more art of the style they are interested in. With the series I painted about climate change, they look better hung as a grouping. Some people might look forward to seeing what other paintings I add to the series.
Conclusion
So, now you can see why working to create an art series can benefit you as an artist and someone who looks at art.
Moe knows that he will keep working on his tree wall art series. He also has ideas for other series.
I am all over the place when it comes to art. When I decide on my next series, I will set a goal of at least ten pieces. Please help keep me accountable!
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Beautiful art for life well lived,
Sarah
