Apr 8th 1-2-3: The Connective Tissue In Art
1: Themes ( 2 minute read )
If creativity is getting many different things and combining them, then how do you make them all stick together?
This would be with a theme.
Themes are the connective tissue in all art when creating a body of work that is lasting and impactful. What a theme is can encompass many different parts of the art, but an easy way to think about it is a subject that is being talked about. It can also be thought of as an idea that recurs or repeats throughout the piece.
“Okay, fine and dandy but why should I use themes in my work?”
Glad you asked! So for one they create focus and direction. When you are feeling like you are getting off track with your work, you can think back to your theme in order to get you back on the path. Stephen King has said that, “The theme is the anchor; it helps me know when I’m drifting.” If he can drift, then we can.
“Gotcha, so what else can themes do for my work.?”
They create cohesion in your work.
If the theme of the The One Ring in Lord of the Rings wasn’t clearly defined, then perhaps there was a character that might be able to wield it for their purposes. It represents absolute power and how it corrupts, so even pure hearted characters succumb to it making the trek to Mount Doom all the more important. This is because the cohesion of the story is kept together by this one narrative device which informs the others.
“I think I’m seeing what you’re getting at. Okay hit me with another big reason why to use themes.”
One of the parts about themes I find so useful and important is the fact that when you have a cohesive body of work that is focused, the theme can be understood by the audience. This stimulates reflection. This comes down to a more existential question, why do we make what we make?
For me and for a lot of creatives, we want to impact our audience.
When we utilize themes this makes it so that we are able to convey themes that can invite our readers to engage on a deeper, more thoughtful level. When we do this, not only can they see our own theme, but they can draw their own personal meaning from the art. This is what makes art so beautiful, it is a conversation with the author and the audience.
I know that I will be thinking much more about what themes are in the art I engage with as well as the art I create.
I hope you do as well!
2: Creative Prompts From Us (ex. Write a short story, a poem, a song, or draw a quick illustration of these! Let your imagination run free.)
I. Think about your top three favorite bodies of art. What would you say the prevailing themes are in them?
II. Do you notice a theme in your own works? Were they intended or organically created?
3: Inspirational Quotes From Others
I. “A theme isn’t something you impose on a story; it’s something you discover. It’s what the story is really about.” – George Lucas
II. “Themes are the thread of humanity in any story.” – Guillermo del Toro
III. “Give me a theme, and I’ll give you a hundred variations.” – Pablo Picasso
Thank you so much for reading!