Fusionart as an Artistic Style

But how does an artist come to have a particular style? In the past, societal convention dictated much of what artists produced. Wealthy patrons meant bread and butter on the table, and artists were more than happy to comply with their customers’ tastes. The styles that were fashionable set the tone for most of the art being produced in the world. Paintings from any given period of time will resemble each other in style.

Finally in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the art world began to broaden its lens. Impressionism, cubism and fauvism were just a few of the emerging styles that redefined forever what we consider to be “art”. The Armory Show of 1913 was the first exhibit to showcase modern art in America, and the public’s reaction was immense, both positive and negative. Art was now about more than the careful reproduction of apples in a bowl on a table.

This breakthrough allowed many artists to work in styles that were personal to their own creativity and emotions. Art ceased to be judged by the excellence of a likeness, and more by the intellectual and emotional response it caused. Art was less about delivering on a patron’s request, and more about self-expression.

Now artists are free to work in any method they choose and in any medium. Even so, few stray from a particular style throughout their careers. An artist’s style still tells you something about that person. Most artists feel comfortable with a particular theme or subject matter, and they stick with it. The style defines the artist and the artist defines his style.

The Fusionart movement is radical in that it seeks to take the art world to an entirely new consciousness of artistic style. Fusionart focuses on the spirit and the heart as the source of expression. What this means is, the Fusionart “style” is more about the creative process than about what is being created. You can tell Fusionartists by who they are being when they paint, and not as much by the finished product. The inspiration, the introspection, the emotion that goes into Fusionart work is the definition of our “style”. Our paintings may not look much like each other’s, but our creative process is fundamentally similar.

In Fusionart, we are free to explore, to change, to evolve. Our work develops as we develop. As we experience life, life appears in our paintings. My work has changed dramatically over the years, but it still emerges from my soul and spirit. I do not feel as though all of my paintings need to scream my name and look like they are “my paintings.” I have the liberty to let my soul be the artist, and to follow wherever it leads.

Over the past few years, I have taken several classes with Rassouli at the Fusionart Academy. I find that these classes inform, motivate and liberate me. The beauty of Rassouli’s teaching is that it enhances and blesses any style of art. Rassouli has a knack for bringing the “you” into your work. He never imposes his own muse or method. He simply breaks down the barriers between you and your creative imagination, freeing you to pursue with abandon your artistic passion.

Be confident as you pursue your creativity. Fuse your soul and spirit, and allow them to express to the world who you are. When you are ready to paint from within, you are ready to be a Fusionartist. Come join us at a class or retreat, and see what is inside you, just waiting to be painted!