In the process of creating a painting there are simply no shortcuts. The painting demands to be crafted one brushstroke at a time. It creates an inevitable tension that has to resolved by surrendering to the process. Otherwise urgency or impatience can ruin a painting in a matter of seconds. Something I’ve learned the hard way! One of the benefits of having been an artist for over 25 years is I now know what works for my process to have the greatest chance of success, not just from the perspective of a good painting but also as a rewarding process for me.
Why do I paint? Because I want to show you the world through a new lens. A perspective that wouldn’t exist if I didn’t create it. That is a powerful position that many artists lose sight of. You have the opportunity to create something that releases a creation that would not exist without you. But as Malcolm Gladwell points out in one of his Big Think talks, no matter your creative contribution you are not guaranteed any kind of reward. An artist can produce from their most vulnerable and pure intents, beautiful paintings, and be given nothing in return. So why do I paint? Because it’s the best way I know how to connect to you. And human connection is profoundly needed by us all. Even us artistic introverts, toiling away in our studios on our own for days or weeks at a time. We need each other to live well.
If you’re an artist, why do you create? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.