PAINT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER
12 Hearts in progress, 14" x 11" each, acrylic, collage and graphite on canvas
"How do you paint yellow wheat against a yellow sky? You paint it jet black."
~Ben Shahn
I am currently working on the above series of 12 heart paintings. I have been painting them as individual pieces, however, when I arranged them on the floor of the studio the other day to analyze them, I realized that I may be creating one larger piece. I was not prepared for that realization, so I have been stopped in my tracks trying to decide whether I am creating 12 smaller pieces or one large piece. All I really want to do is have fun painting them regardless of the outcome and the format that they will take. This minor setback has led me to realize:
PAINT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER
You have an idea or a subject that intrigues you. Paint it. Have fun with it. You don't have to have it all figured out before you begin. You don't have to have all of your questions answered right away. The painting will raise more questions and answer a lot of your questions as you work on it. Questions will come up throughout the entire process that will require you to make choices. And you will make them. In the meantime, just paint.
While you are painting, paint. Don't analyze or critique your painting while you are actually painting. When you step back to look at it (which should be often) that is the time to think, question, analyze and critique your painting. When you step back up to your painting and begin working on it again, turn off your analytical brain and switch your creative brain back on. And paint. Just paint. And enjoy every minute of it.
I find that for me this a great rhythm to get into and it allows me to have fun painting while providing me with the right time to critique and analyze. And not let one cloud the other.
Creativity requires both process and critique. However, I suggest that you:
PAINT FIRST AND ASK (AND ANSWER) QUESTIONS LATER
Best,
David