An artist who painted a face was now 'playing with the idea of portraiture,' or 'exploring push-pull aesthetics,' or toying with contradictions like 'menacing-slash-playful,' but he or she was never, ever, just painting a face.
In Steve Martin's book "An Object of Beauty," the author explores how artists often engage in deeper concepts when creating art. Instead of merely depicting a face, artists are seen as delving into complex ideas such as portraiture, aesthetics, or the juxtaposition of different emotions. This suggests that each artwork is a reflection of multifaceted themes rather than a straightforward representation.
Martin highlights the notion that art serves as a vehicle for exploration, allowing artists to express contradictions and dualities within their work. By referring to the interplay between elements that might be perceived as menacing or playful, the author emphasizes that the creative process involves much more than surface-level depiction, inviting viewers to appreciate the layers of meaning behind each piece.