Can Content Creators Learn from James McNeill Whistler?

James Abbott McNeill Whistler — Portrait of the Artist’s Mother, 1871 Wikimedia Commons public domain

You bet they can!

Whistler — a significant figure in modern art — a maverick — is most remembered by his mother’s portrait…. which isn’t the least bit modern.

However, Whistler pioneered abstraction, went beyond British Impressionism, influenced John Singer Sargent and set the bar for gestural Action Paintings of Abstract Expressionists Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.

By envisioning and titling his works in abstract musical terms, Whistler helped spearhead a modern approach to painting in which the medium itself became the subject — “art for arts sake” — not the sitter or landscape pictured.

His loose sweeping brushstrokes of dark blues and silver in his nocturne paintings were completely original, totally new, and imaginative. These paintings gave you the feeling of night and a mysterious sea.

James McNeill Whistler — Nocturne, Blue and Silver, Battersea Reach — P1e1 — Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.jpg

If he lived today, he’d be considered a content creator and a dynamite one at that.

He was not just an oil painter but a writer too.

He wrote about his life in a book titled: “The Gentle Art of Making Enemies” (1892).

In his book he recounts suing John Ruskin, a famous art critic, for saying Whistler ‘threw buckets of paint onto a canvas’.

In the trial, the jury favored Whistler and pointed to his statement: “it took decades of learning to do what I did” as the reason for declaring Whistler the victor in the suit.

He advocated for artists and created his OWN artistic persona.

He staunchly defended his style of painting even though his style — at the time — was too radical for many Victorians. He abandoned realism in the late 19th century and developed a unique Japanese style of painting.

He didn’t sign his paintings he created a brand which was a butterfly.

In the sketch below, his butterfly signature is evident.

I used Procreate to highlight it so you wouldn’t miss it, placing “Brand Mark” in red around it.

James McNeill Whistler, Fulham, 1878–79, Wikimedia Common + Procreate by the Author

Other artists have used marks to sign their paintings but Turner’s butterfly became a brand.
The idea that artists develop and invent themselves as a brand was unheard of before Whistler (1834–1903).

Takeaways from Whistler that You can Use as a content creator:

1. Create daily without overthinking the process. Avoid getting bogged down in self-doubt and perfectionism; instead, focus and produce small amounts but produce often.

2.Identify themes and personality characteristics that appear in your work. As a painter, notice how you like to paint —e.g., dripping paint, watercolor washes, bold impasto. Or what you like to paint, figures or flowers. As a writer, notice themes and styles that come up. For me it is art, artists and expressionism.

3. Be Attuned to Your Creative Urges and Go With Them. Pay attention to what colors you are naturally drawn to. Notice if one color stands out over another. Or a certain color palette. These favorite colors may become recognizable aspect of your artistic style.

In Conclusion:

Once you’ve identified recurring themes, subjects, and styles, your painting voice will be heard.

I say: “once your style finds you, your voice will come.”

This is something I often repeat to myself.

I have found, in my journey as an artist, when I let go of trying to imitate other painter’s, my style showed up.

Once my style appeared, my voice grew louder and more consistent.

I believe my voice is my brand and it will be for you too.

Give your artwork meaningful titles reflecting your style and through this process your brand and voice will be heard.

Consider how you want to present your art to the world — whether through a unique name, logo, or brand across your social media platforms.