I studied art at college but my dreams of being a working artist in adult life were soon bypassed when the need to actually make a living was realized. I dabbled a bit over the next few years and even convinced my then-wife to let me convert the spare room into an artist studio but that too got binned when the kids came along. Damn them. Why couldn’t I have stayed single and gone mad like the Grand Masters?
I no longer practise art as such although wandering around The Met and MoMA this weekend made me realize how much of my art training I use in my corporate work.
It’s easy to see how working on a project or pitch can mirror the process of creating a piece of art. First comes the desire or concept, then research and sketch, on to the construct and mould, then finally tweak and present. The similarity of the structure is apparent yet we don’t allow ourselves the flexibility and creativity in the boardroom which the freedom of the artist studio fosters.
The initial stage of a business project or pitch is allowed to be a little crazy. We brainstorm and farm ideas and kid ourselves we are being radical knowing full well we will rein ourselves back into our corporate limitations during the next part of the process. In the art world we allow ourselves to go down different avenues for longer, we may realize during the construction of the subject that the background isn’t quite the right color so we bring out our palette and make the necessary changes. We are more open and relaxed. Even though we have tighter time limitations in the world of business, it helps to remain flexible for further down the process line. Even though you have invested time in an idea and the deadline is looming, if something isn’t working, don’t press on in spite of it. Don’t be afraid to look back and see what alterations can be made to accommodate your new brilliant idea.
When you stand in a gallery and look at a painting you see the bigger picture. You observe it as a whole. Take a look at The Storm by Munch. It has a fantastic atmosphere. There is a lot of movement in the painting which draws you in and almost sweeps you up into the storm itself. It’s a remarkable artistic achievement. Nobody is stood in MoMA thinking the windows of the house are not uniform (apart from me). People accept it as part of the composition, it’s simply the style of the piece and the end result is a resounding success.
Whilst I was at college, I supported myself painting theatre backdrops, I would sweat and toil over each branch of each tree. My mentor told me to stand back. When the audience are seated, they see the forest. Nobody’s trip to the theatre was ever ruined because they felt the top branch of the third tree to the left was a bit skewiff. Don’t sweat over the minutiae. People will listen to your ideas and presentation as a whole, they won’t scrutinize every word. Your passion will be apparent and your choice of tie will have no bearing on the outcome (unless it's a ‘comedy’ one - biggest misnomer ever - there is no such thing as a comedy tie).
COMEDY TIES - Just say NO
Don’t be afraid to show your workings. Some presentations are so clinical they are devoid of personality and spark. Look at any Van Gogh up close and the work is only heightened by each obvious sweep of his paintbrush. It adds something tangible.
Artists such as Chuck Close aren’t afraid to show the process. Step up close to his outstanding portrait Lucas I and you can see the pencil lines he used to initially plot his canvas. Most people wouldn’t even see this, they just see the whole of his majestic portrait. Those who do get close enough to see the graphite are there because they have been drawn in, not because they are scrutinizing for flaws. The proof of his workings only add to the overall piece. Have the confidence to show your individuality.
Plan your next presentation or pitch with a more artistic approach. Throw off the shackles of corporate convention. The business world can be a very staid place. Splash some color upon it. It’s the difference between a piece of work and a masterpiece.
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