New Approaches, Relaxed State, Recognition

Field Play - Digital Painting - April 2005

I am going back in time a bit to a piece I created last Spring.  It has just come down from being on display and I am reminded of the feeling when it was finished.

It is said that an artist never knows what work of his is good. I think sometimes artists do get too caught up with circumstances and sentimentalism to recognize their strongest work.  Part of the creative process therefore, is to show one’s work to other people and other artists in particular.

The piece above was created because the previous piece (see below) did not work as I had hoped. Although I like the piece and it has been particularly well received, it did not achieve exactly what I was hoping for - one of the techniques I used, creating the figures in a different painting and pasting them in, I have not wanted to repeat.  Actually, the piece below is a wonderful example of how an artist does not always know his own work. I was disappointed enough with a certain aspect of the piece to be ready to dismiss it.

Click Field of Hoes for large version - Digital Painting 2005

The top work, Field Play was created in a more playful manner. I was having fun with the medium creating this swirling multi-colored manipulated space - the field backdrop. I was relaxed, unconcerned about mistakes, and after I quickly put the figure in - I knew I had created something strong and unique. Sometimes we just know we have hit it right.  

What I was struck with today, and what made me write on this subject  - was that I noticed a similar relaxed state today while playing guitar - though something I do regularly experience - today it was incredibly clear - and for some reason the same old licks sounded fresh and wonderful - and that attitude allowed me to create new improvisations in places not before seen. 

This relaxed non-judgemental attitude is in my opinion where the best works come from.

These works like the others on the blog - will be available for purchase at Outhouse Studios in the not too distant future. I am still considering options for updating the site and how to add new art more easily.

See Also

• Wired News: It’s Digital but is it art?
  Discussion of the new medium
• OCRegister.com- Art for the digital era
  Computer technology now and in the future of art
• Muskegon Chronicle - Salon Thursday event mixes poetry with art
  Important program shows importance of sharing and viewing others’ art