Friday, May 15, 2009

Is it Art or Illustration?

I am trying to participate in a small show whose theme is "family".

I've always admired the Tibetan culture.  Even though their country has been taken over and their cultural  traditions and architecture are in danger of being destroyed, they seem to be a happy  and content when they are with family.  The nomadic people probably have the harshest life but seem to be optimistic and live in the moment.

I think this oil on 8x8 hardboard turned out to be more of an illustration than a painting to submit to a show.  What do you think?  

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Look at the beautiful painterly brushstrokes! This is an amazing painting - submit it!

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

I think you can go and submit it. It is everything you wanted to have.
Go Sheila go!

Lauren Maurer said...

Submit it!!

Manon said...

Painting!! Submit it for sure!

Nina Jørgensen said...

i am a bit confused by this - an illustration is an image and can be of any kind - a painting can be an illustration if it is used in a context where it is accompanying something such as an article, a commercial, a story etc. so depending on the purpose, this is a painting but it could be an illustration - I don't know if you get what I mean? I am studying illustration so I felt like I had to say this because the way you phrased the question made it sound like an illustration is less than a painting. I guess everyone and their opinion...but it looks great.

Unknown said...

I responded to Nina on her blog but I'll respond here too but make it more concise. I think this would be more appropriate illustrating a National Geographic article than sitting in a gallery.

dominique eichi said...

Both solution are viable. If you add text to this it will become an illustration.But for this time in true Tibetan tradition submit it to the show for it is perfect for this moment there.

Tracey Clarke said...

It is great. Submit it for sure. Don't ever ask yourself that question again!
(BTW, the never-ending argument about art or illustration...don't buy it. Some say "Illustration SELLS a product, art sells itself." Well, I have seen amazing illustrators whose work is far above and beyond some of the so-called greatest artist. There is my two cent...)

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Painting!!

gh said...

It has a look of an illustration, which you do extremely well but there is no question that this is a painting.
Enter, and good luck. your work is very good and will hang proudly in the same room with whatever else has been submitted.
your awesome!

christine said...

You've captured the happy energy of this Tibetan family beautifully in this painting. Submit it!

Michelle said...

Ah, the great debate! Whether you want to call it a painting or illustration, it is a beautiful definition of a family. By all means submit it!

There are some great articles at artrenewal.org about this topic called: Illustration is to Fine Art as Poetry is to Prayer, and Myth vs. Fantasy. The author asks: What is the difference between a fine art Velasquez painting and the beauty of (illustrator) Maxfield Parrish’s work?

Paulo J. Mendes said...

I shall join my voice to those who say "submit": It's a beautiful expressive painting.

r garriott said...

Submit it!!!

artbyakiko said...

Wonderful portraits of a happy family. They sure look very happy. You have done a great job on this!

L.Holm said...

I agree with Tracey.
Submit. It's a great painting. Illustration can be Fine Art and Fine Art can illustrate. It communicates happiness, family and love. submit for sure :-)

Edward Burton said...

This is wonderful, Sheila. Submit it.

theresamillerwatercolors said...

This is a beautiful painting, Sheila, and you should definetly submit it!

Dean Grey said...

Sheila!

It's a painterly illustration. Does that help? *(~_^)

-Dean

Sheila Estep said...

I Love the Tibetan family you have painted, yes! submit it! I would love to journey to Tibet and experience it's culture.

Dean H. said...

I side with those who say, "painting". And well done, too....submit it, and good luck!

James Parker said...

Submit. Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish considered themselves illustrators...good enough for them, good enough for me. It's one of those "fuzzy line" things...all illustrations are Art, but not all Art is illustration.

Unknown said...

Sheila you have captured their characters wonderfully, its a lovely painting full of life.

Olga Wagner said...

Love it!!!! Must submit this one!

Gwen Bell said...

Love it! There is so much character in the faces. I'm posting so late on it....hope you submitted it! Nice observation about Nomadic People. Living proof that we don't need "stuff" to be happy, right?

Caio Fern said...

this painting is great! about art or ilustration... i am so tired to talk about this with academic tha i dont even care any more . for me , if is made with your heart , is art .