is it art?

Question

recently i took a photo of my cat, modified [posterised] it using paint shop pro then stuck it to a board and painted over it in oils. it came out ok but my problem is that seeing i didnt draw it and basically just painted over a photo is it art?

Answer 1

It is. Andy Warhol did exactly that - and he was a famous.

Answer 2

Photography is art by itself, without your additions. So the
complementary work is also art and there is no doubt about
that issue. Whether others like it or not is another matter. If
you enjoyed doing it and it pleases you, continue. Van Gogh
was not considered an artist in his days and only sold one
painting in life. All the rest were bought by his brother to help
him make a living and pay his bills. Only destiny will tell your
final chapter in the field of art, but in the meantime enjoy what
you are doing. PS, you don‘t have to cut your ear off either. I
started photography with a full blown studio back in 1955 with
all the big cameras. Went through the Leica M3 and Rollei
stages, stepped up to a super Bronica with three lenses,
taught photography to some top pros and now am 69 and have
a nice digital and a greater iMac 10.4.8 (Tiger) with all the art
goodies installed. Today I mainly restore the oldies since most
pro shops do a lousy job. I don‘t charge a penny, but it keeps
me alive and happy. I wish I could send you a few shots for you
to see, comment and work on them. This exchange would
do us both good. But the most important parts are contained in
the first few lines of this answer. Continue my friend, end even
if you start working in another field continue. Your mind is free
so let it go wherever it takes you. Art is instinctive, and what you
learn in art school is how to manage your instincts and nothing
else. Enjoy your work and don‘t get worried about what the critics
have to say, for they must also live and make more money by
being nasty than by being nice and kindly. I wish you well,
Iain Ritchie.
PPS. At Yahoo "My photos" are open for public viewing and for the
taking. How to get there, I do not know. Obviously, the ones with me in them, were not taken by me, perhaps a pro or a sporting
buddy. Maybe they are in my 360, I never checked. Take a look
at He is one of the pros that I
helped and is a top nature photographer today and is financed
by the "Gates" foundation.

Answer 3

Art does not occur coinscidentially. It needs discipline and a higher state of conciousness.

Most of the "modern arts" sh.ts aren't really artistic! They are just commercial.

But if you like what you have painted, you're free to get pleased with it and look at it for hours. I think that should be a great feeling!

But, as an arts objects, i think it wouldnt be so very from the heart... Dont you think so?

Answer 4

Sure is. All art is someone's visual interperetattion of something. It will inherently have your touch, your vision, your creativity. It will inherently reflect how you feel about the subject.

That said, painting from photographs tends to flatten out an image, because you lack the subtleties of light and the depth of field. Most art "elite" can spot a painting painted from a photo a mile away...

Not that it stopped the masters: http://fogonazos.blogspot.com/2006/11/famous-painters-copied-photopraphs_06.html

Answer 5

Yes it is what ever you do by changing , cutting , pasting , coloring , etc. .. even shiit on it still consider art . Art is what it means " It's the style of your taste " Its not necessarily be a paint brush with coloring paint , it can be any type of object or material to create with .
Good Luck !
p.s. it may be valuable to someone who is interesting in your work of arts

Answer 6

I personally think that anything you create can be classified as art. It sounds like you put some effort into this particular project, and I'm positive it turned out really nice. Keep up the good work! As long as you're enjoying it and creating something, then yes, I call it art!

Answer 7

most of the old masters used to use similar techniques by superimposing an image on a wall and tracing over it onto their canvas. most of the pop artists of the sixties didnt even paint their pictures themselves just signed it after their assistants had done it. basically dont worry about it. art is anything that you create and looks good to you!

Answer 8

hell yes. That pop art guy just blew up huge cartoons, that other guy changed the colour of marilyn monroes face, another guy painted a green horizontal line over the mona lisa and thats all

Sounds like you've done a hell of a lot more than those time wasting bast**ds

Answer 9

We called that Mixed Media in Art class.

Answer 10

I suppose. Pictures can be art and paintings are art. Yours is some sort of think inbetween. The real question is will somebody other that your self appreciated it? If so then you might be an artist.

Answer 11

Art is subjective, so if you think it's art, it is!

BTW, ever hear of Andy Warhol? His signature silkscreens are in some ways similar to what you describe and just yesterday one of his works sold for 17.4 mil.

Yeah, it's art!