PaintBox Tip #108 Arting everyday

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 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!!

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