IT. Lots of people do IT, perhaps too many. I don't do IT. I tried doing IT, but thankfully, I wasn't very good at doing IT. You've seen IT, because IT has been done to death.
What is IT? According to Miles Batt, in his wonderful book 'The Complete Guide to Creative Watercolor' (which, I believe might be the only necessary art 'guide' book no matter what your media may be), he says 'Beware of books that show you "How To Do IT." If you are eventually able to do IT, what is IT worth? If you can do IT, and the author can do IT, lots of other people can do IT. Each person doing IT drains IT of creative potential. IT is the last thing you should attempt to learn how to do'.
One of the first books on watercolor I bought has 'You Can Do It' as part of the title. The book is full of all too familiar watercolor paintings, the barn, the battered row boat, the silo, the stream, pine trees and all the other things you have seen done countless times, pretty much the same way. IT, IT, IT and IT. IT can be a very good starting point for some people, I tried IT, but found IT boring.
Other artist's books proclaim a way to make art their way, so you can too. Their methods, their techniques, their way and their approach can all be your's too. Mimic someone else's technique, style and subject matter? Not me. I like to think that my art is for those who have outgrown IT.
I do IT and it's pert near done me to death. But I hung in there because I have responsibilities to my family: health insurance and middle class security. Am I good at IT? I never thought myself particularly so, largely because I find IT such a yawn. But I've gotten by, pulled wool over bosses' eyes. Did some good work actually, but have viewed my years in Information Technology as not totally wasted, but certainly begrudged, a sacrifice.
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