Why I’m Choosing Exploration Over a "Signature Style"

For many artists, the ultimate goal is to be recognizable at a glance to have a "signature style" that defines their brand and stabilizes their market value. However, I always go with my gut in everything I do related to art. My mind knows that not sticking to a specific art style at the beginning of my career will be more beneficial for me as an artist.

The Benefits of Exploration

• Constant skill building: Every time I try a new method, like the whimsical style of Eden Flora, I add another tool to my creative belt.

  
  

• Painting should be fun: If I am going to spend hours working on a piece, it better be something I enjoy. I never want to create a piece that feels forced.

  
  

• A world to be explored: I think as an artist, I would be missing out on so many things if I stuck to one medium and one style. Art is a wide world; it is exciting and needs to be explored and experienced.

  
  

• Exploration is the best teacher: If I hadn't experimented with techniques and materials, I wouldn't have a deep understanding of myself as an artist.

  
  

If I had stuck to one style at the beginning of my art career, I wouldn't have experimented at all; thus, I would have missed out on all the experiences and opportunities for learning.

The Search for a Signature

But believe me when I say that I really want to be like "that" artist too where, with just one glance, a person would know I made that painting. In fact, I have a long list of art styles I want to try. Using that list as my reference, I have actually done a few years of experimentation. I enjoyed the process on some of them, but others felt like an out-of-body experience, as if someone else did the artwork for me.

The Value of Versatility

Coming from a background in graphic design and brand collateral, I’ve learned that versatility is a superpower, especially at this time. Being able to adapt my visual language allows me to tackle diverse projects, from pet portraits and custom paintings to high-end fine art sales.

I have a favorite quote from one of my favorite bands in the world that has stuck with me:

"People have a huge collection on their iPod, so why can't a band do that?" — Emily Armstrong

I 1,000% agree with her. Artists are human beings, too; we change, we evolve, and we have moods. If I feel like painting a seascape, I don't see why I can't paint figures if I want to. I feel that if I finally found and perfected my "signature," that would be the end of me. That is scary; I don't want to be boxed in or labeled. But as I mentioned earlier, I understand the importance of it, too.

Join Me on the Journey

I am Maria Edelyn Gunda a Filipino artist, and I am an artist hungry for learning. My portfolio is not a static gallery of one idea; it is a living record of my experience in the arts. I am a living, breathing, and ever-changing human being. I invite you to follow along as I test new canvases, explore organic materials, and dive into the next painting technique. How do you feel about artists who constantly switch styles? Does it make the work more exciting to collect, or do you prefer a consistent look? Let me know in the comments!