Art Beyond Craft

A brief comment in response to January’s film selection, “My Rembrandt”

by John Bennison, Mountain Shadow Director

“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” – Edward Hopper

As a wordsmith myself, sometimes given to verbosity, such a cryptic, cautionary remark like the one above is a helpful reminder there are somtimes better ways to express what need not be said; but rather only seen on life’s canvas. It is the distinction sometimes made between art and craft.

As a child, how many of us whiled away the hours with a paint-by-number picture; filling in the outlines of someone else’s previously completed work? A steady eye and hand sufficed. But once one tried to discover the artist in oneself, self-discovery and expression was an effort that comprised more than the question of artistic talent. Any artist, like any good writer, is someone who has achieved something more than honing one’s craft. They find themselves in the depiction of their subject matter. The film director’s statement below articulates the point well.

Our film selection this month is more than a fascinating look at the art world, its business and patronage. It’s a real-life drama, a parable of sorts; of someone finding their own self in a personal quest to prove the authenticity of a master work.