I have a deep love for illustration and the artists that do them. This collection of Japanese book covers (1920’s to 1940’s) I found on the exceptional site called 50 Watts.  Hmm I don’t even know how to describe this site other than fascinating images of illustration collected by an amazing online curator/blogger.  You can sign up for “journey round my skull” to get it sent straight to your inbox.  I point this out because illustration, design and craft have been kept out of the definition of “fine arts”. This is an injustice.

Many “fine art” critics, curators and historians wave away illustration, craft and design as an art form and it can even be used an insult.  As an example, an artist  told me that an art teacher critique  her paintings as too illustrative and that made her really question herself as an artist .  I also had a run into this bias at an Artisan’s fair where the judge stated that she just couldn’t wrap her head around judging the fine art with the craft entries, so she decided next year to have a new category just for craft and this year she would only judge  the paintings and photographs as entries.  I don’t think either person meant it as a criticism to illustration or craft but interestingly both these people taught in a college setting, where they teach people what art is and also what defines their students as artists.

Illustration, design and craft can take as much imagination and technical skill as any “fine art” form.  And as I have said before they are everyday gateways into art appreciation.  Art critics and curators now have somewhat expanded the definition of fine art  with street artists like Banksy, Jean Michael, and the trend for outsider art (and I have to add even at this time period these are predominately men that are recognized but that is another blog) but I am not so sure that the art educational system has caught up. What would happen if we just took out primarily or solely in this definition of “fine art” as creative art, especially visual art, whose products are to be appreciated primarily or solely for their imaginative, aesthetic, or intellectual content?Imagine what kind of art we would see if we opened up to that definition.

P.S. Remember signs with an * it’s a big week for you.  And please share.

Aries – Eight of Swords

This week can feel a bit binding with the Eight of Swords.  This card foretells that between your thoughts and your obligations you might feel a bit trapped.  The challenge is realizing this binding feeling is all in your hands.  The obligations and thoughts can easily be let go of if you are truthful with the reasons behind them.

Taurus – King of Swords

This King request that you take control this week.  You are the best one to figure out your strategies to get through this week.  Rely on others but only if they have direction, and who better to do that then you.  You have your intellect and wit about you this week, use them.
Continue reading Tarotcast for Week of November 18, 2018 →