The process of creating art can be viewed as a kind of therapy, a release, a celebration, meditation, reflection, exploration; among many more things. The last one; creative process has exploration is what is most interesting to me. Non-objective expression especially is for me a vehicle into the unconscious, the self, a deeper reality, a process of experimenting and discovery and a tool for enlightenment. Exactly what Dada artist Max Ernst expressed in this quote:
I make the mistake of forgetting this idea on a regular basis. One would think it would be easy to maintain this aspect when painting and drawing, but it is not so easy for me. The best moments are of course when I am in the moment, creating. Giving life to something completely new, something vibrant, expressive, unique; lost in that moment of expression.
The farther I can get lost in it, the more truly expressive the work can become. But reaching that point requires letting go all of those things that can keep me from getting to the ideas that Ernst expresses in the preceding quote. I mean avoiding things like too much repetition or too much concern with the final product. The latter happens to me a lot when I am working on a painting or drawing. I start with just a free kind of attitude of having fun just putting paint to canvas or ink to paper and I am really liking what I am doing. Then the more I think I like it the more concerned I am with what I am doing, and the less creative the piece ends up being.
At the core, the process of creation is absolutely what Ernst said, "....it must be every time: invention, discovery, revelation." This is what gives me inspiration anyways, not settling for anything and always risking a lot every piece every time. Yah, I have more than a few unsuccessful pieces, but I also create lines, shapes, images and texture that really are visually exciting to me that I had to experiment to create. I guess it is that never-ending pursuit and process of discovery that attracts me so much to painting and drawing.
"Painting is not for me either decorative amusement, or the plastic invention of felt reality; it must be every time: invention, discovery, revelation." - Max Ernst
I make the mistake of forgetting this idea on a regular basis. One would think it would be easy to maintain this aspect when painting and drawing, but it is not so easy for me. The best moments are of course when I am in the moment, creating. Giving life to something completely new, something vibrant, expressive, unique; lost in that moment of expression.
The farther I can get lost in it, the more truly expressive the work can become. But reaching that point requires letting go all of those things that can keep me from getting to the ideas that Ernst expresses in the preceding quote. I mean avoiding things like too much repetition or too much concern with the final product. The latter happens to me a lot when I am working on a painting or drawing. I start with just a free kind of attitude of having fun just putting paint to canvas or ink to paper and I am really liking what I am doing. Then the more I think I like it the more concerned I am with what I am doing, and the less creative the piece ends up being.
At the core, the process of creation is absolutely what Ernst said, "....it must be every time: invention, discovery, revelation." This is what gives me inspiration anyways, not settling for anything and always risking a lot every piece every time. Yah, I have more than a few unsuccessful pieces, but I also create lines, shapes, images and texture that really are visually exciting to me that I had to experiment to create. I guess it is that never-ending pursuit and process of discovery that attracts me so much to painting and drawing.
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2 comments:
Ed
Well put! You express very nicely the way in which we start painting with the best of intentions, with a carefree attitude and watch it slowly deteriorate as our mind gets involved. Not every time, as you say, but too often.
Interesting that in the list you started out with, "therapy, release, celebration, meditation, reflection, exploration", many work best the more we can quell the activity of the mind.
I guess it's one of our great tools and great obstacles at the same time.
The process of discovery, as you say at the end, is so rich and diverse in art making. We're lucky to be able to return time and again to that well for replenishment.
We have similar views on the creative process for sure Bob!
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