What a great approach you've taken for this set of reviews! Asking the most basic and interesting question of all--how do you begin? It's the big question that everyone wants to know about the creative process. What I l love about the set of responses here are both the overlaps and the uniqueness. I love the conversational tone here.!
Some wonderful nuggets here! I always seem to be seeking a confidence boost, and in this post my approach to my art was reaffirmed by your words and those of these artists whom I admire. Thank you.
so resonant! -- exploring the layers of understanding and experience which all evolve over time, following the lead of the materials you use. The more I paint, the less I want to impose my will on the paint and the more I want it (and the paper/pen) to lead me down an interesting trail.
i recently was doing a deep clean of the house, and decided to dust off and reorganize 12 years of journals. i rather thought they'd be full of crap but there was a lot of good stuff in there and i was inordinately pleased to note my progress in -- as you said -- following my heart.
Beautiful! Thanks, Ellen, for both reflections. I believe creation is a dance – with materials, with history, with light, with whatever rocks your world. And following the lead rather than taking it is scarier but more rewarding.
That's so interesting about your journals. I bet mine would show something similar. I wouldn't want to go back too my youth. Those journals would be a dark thicket. Although probably a trove of unremembered stories, too, that might somehow shed light.
I love what Picasso said. Mark Twain said the same thing about writing: read over what you’ve written, pick the part you are the most proud of, and take it out.
I’m not sure I could do that, either in my writing or in my art.
I agree, Amy. In writing, someone (Chesterton? Faulkner? The source is not clear) said "kill your darlings." So hard to do! I say take it out and put it aside. Maybe you can put it back. But that's easier in writing than, say, painting!
What a great approach you've taken for this set of reviews! Asking the most basic and interesting question of all--how do you begin? It's the big question that everyone wants to know about the creative process. What I l love about the set of responses here are both the overlaps and the uniqueness. I love the conversational tone here.!
This was a fun one, Jessica!
It is always interesting to listen to the thinking process of other artists. A good idea to start the new year
Thanks, Barbara. I'm about to expand on this idea a bit…
Some wonderful nuggets here! I always seem to be seeking a confidence boost, and in this post my approach to my art was reaffirmed by your words and those of these artists whom I admire. Thank you.
I'm glad to hear that, Virginia. I'm endlessly interested in process, so this was very fun to put together.
I was amazed at the variety of forces leading artists to their work. Your introduction about heart seemed to apply to all of them
Thank you, Jim!
so resonant! -- exploring the layers of understanding and experience which all evolve over time, following the lead of the materials you use. The more I paint, the less I want to impose my will on the paint and the more I want it (and the paper/pen) to lead me down an interesting trail.
i recently was doing a deep clean of the house, and decided to dust off and reorganize 12 years of journals. i rather thought they'd be full of crap but there was a lot of good stuff in there and i was inordinately pleased to note my progress in -- as you said -- following my heart.
Keep following yours, Cate !
Beautiful! Thanks, Ellen, for both reflections. I believe creation is a dance – with materials, with history, with light, with whatever rocks your world. And following the lead rather than taking it is scarier but more rewarding.
That's so interesting about your journals. I bet mine would show something similar. I wouldn't want to go back too my youth. Those journals would be a dark thicket. Although probably a trove of unremembered stories, too, that might somehow shed light.
Thanks for sharing the artists thoughts. And the new work by Elaine Spatz-Rabinowitz looks really interesting and beautiful!
Thanks, Susan. Elaine is a marvel.
I love what Picasso said. Mark Twain said the same thing about writing: read over what you’ve written, pick the part you are the most proud of, and take it out.
I’m not sure I could do that, either in my writing or in my art.
I agree, Amy. In writing, someone (Chesterton? Faulkner? The source is not clear) said "kill your darlings." So hard to do! I say take it out and put it aside. Maybe you can put it back. But that's easier in writing than, say, painting!
Once again, fascinating! Thank you, Cate.