In a way I admire artists who pump out their work prolifically. On the other hand, I don’t admire this “skill”. The problem is lack of development. You’d think there would be a high rate of creative development but this seems rarely the case. The artist has to be so focussed on output that development is the last concern.
The artist must “art” everyday but they must also work on their art, just like working on your business as well as working in it – subject, style, technique, design, composition etc. A dear friend had the most amazing success in her painting career until one morning she woke and realised she was bored. She had a huge following all making demands which left my friend with no time for fooling around/experimenting/exploring. She had become a machine. When this happens we are so far behind the 8 ball we have a huge drop-off of income until we find the new thing and push it beyond the experimentation stage – this can take years. Daily “arting” should also include an element of experimentation – “what if?” what if I tried a new subject?, what if I changed up my process?, what if I improved my skill?, what if I tried a new palette?, what if I tried a different medium/materials?, what if … what if … what if … Reflection and evaluation must also be included in our daily process. Without an element of curiosity in our practice, our work might stagnate and the way forward might not show itself immediately. non fermi!! 
4 Comments
Angela Low
26/7/2022 07:07:30
Love your tips, thgt's on painting, find them very encouraging and helpful.
Noeline Branch
26/7/2022 08:31:37
Great tips and the 'churning out ' business is what I wondered about as I have a friend who is starting to feel that way. Noeline 27/7/2022 19:50:14
thanks for reading my PaintBox Tips Noeline, I'm glad they're useful!! The only way must be to schedule time for "play", maybe she also needs to put her prices up so she has to do less "work" for same amount of paycheck? Leave a Reply. |
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Poetry in watercolour is made in the freedom of the here and now. Amanda Brett Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working - Pablo Picasso 
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Thank you for your tips. They inspired me to practise and I realised I haven’t been loading the brush properly. I learnt about adding more paint, and not water, to washes. In today’s tips I like the idea of painting with purpose. Your tips are very helpful. I very much appreciate receiving them. Elizabeth Hi Amanda I enjoyed your post and generous tips. Looked up Dan Burt I begin to see that you can colour any subject to give it pizazz so long as the tone and form is correct Certainly adding value now to my attempts Thanks heaps Annie
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