Monday, January 9, 2012

In Process

The interesting part of the creative process is watching a painting develop, sometimes the artist feels frustrated with the image, even disliking it to the point of painting it out or even slashing the canvas.  Yes, I've heard of this. I believe painting is about decision making--so keep a cool head. One decision after another: Value? Compliment? Composition? Repeat!  And maybe the decision comes to go back to a blank canvas...gesso is good for that.

So, let's say the painting develops in stages. Some of the stages move forward more quickly than others. My favorite stag...Flow. This is when the magic happens. This stage evokes a feeling of excitement, actually excitement in the chest, a buzzing sort of feeling.  And my visual focus becomes acute.  It's one of the in the present moment attributes that Eckhart Tolle talks about.

Here's the beginning of a new painting. This stage is questionable for me...what next is what I'm saying, feeling a push/pull toward the canvas.



The creative process seems to be idiosyncratic with individuals.  What is your process?  Getting to know your own process will help you move past blocks.
Nancy

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