Painting From Life vs. From Photos
Traveling makes one aware of constraints of time and space. If I am in Paris today, but I won’t be tomorrow, I need to make the most of the present opportunities.
Painting in the same studio from day to day gives the impression of being in the same place. Working with the same types of materials over time gives a sense of continuity. I’m realizing how much this is an illusion, in the dimension of the art itself.
I can look at older work and enjoy it, but I can’t go back to the “place” I was when I made it — as much as I would like to sometimes. Depending on the type of work and the progress I am making, “old” can mean a year or two weeks. What I am doing on a given day defines a “place” that I found a path to from yesterday. I won’t be able to return most likely. I need to make the most of the place where I am at the moment, then move on.
On this journey an itinerary is not available. If I try to look back or too far ahead, I risk losing my way.
If not an itinerary, then maybe some other kind of goal? Else how do you know if you’ve lost your way?
I look to this like a train ride that goes on…
Isn’t the process of developing your artwork a journey by itself – savoring the ride and living the ride rather than look out to see when the stop arrives? Yes, there may be small stations where you could rest, imbibe local influences, soak up the trends and depending on the strength of the trends or influences decide to make that a longer or shorter stop, but ultimately you still get back on your train to enjoy your ride…
being in the moment works
If you are in Paris today, and not tomorrow, it would obviously be great to ‘make the most of the moment’. But, if that means to ‘do some work,’ then I want to suggest not forcing yourself to be in the moment. I think it’s a difficult task to be in the moment, which is why it doesn’t occur very often. I think Sunil’s analogy to a train is great because it suggests a more free-flowing and unforced mentality that allows you to relax, “soak” up the sights, and let the train do all the work.
I agree about a journey. For me photography is a journey rather than a destination. I find it a great adventure and passion. Being in the moment for me is not difficult at this point in my life..it has been in the past for different reasons. At this time in my life photography and life are intertwined..part of my soul…doesn’t matter behind the camera or computer (i consider my computer my darkroom) and each photo as I work it shows something of my soul and spirit. Being in the moment for me is free-flowing and unforced/relaxed soaking up the sights and my spirit and soul do the work…the camera only reflects nanoseconds of what I’m willing to share/and sometimes don’t want to share.
I am sure you will find it Karl … you always do!
If not an itinerary, then maybe some other kind of goal? Else how do you know if you’ve lost your way?
Steve,
It is very easy to set a goal, and possible to reach the goal. The problem is, what if one choses the wrong goal? “The paths of error are various and infinite,” as Edward Gibbon wrote.
The goal for artwork needs to be a kind of “I’ll know it when I see it” goal.
As for loosing one’s way, I get the sense this has happened why I find myself returning to ground I’ve already covered, without a new insight of where to go.
Isn’t the process of developing your artwork a journey by itself – savoring the ride and living the ride rather than look out to see when the stop arrives?
Sunil,
Well said. It’s easier to enjoy the ride as a thing in itself if one can focus of that aspect of it.
being in the moment works
Ginger,
The is a good paraphrase of what I’m saying in the post above. Easier said than done though!
Jeffery,
Let me try to clarify this “make the most of the moment” idea with respect to doing the artwork. It occurred to me that the kind of things I can do depend on the place I am in the “journey”. If I’m working on a picture now, I need to realize that if I set it aside, I may not be able to go further with it a month later. Even if I do, it won’t come out the way it would if I continued now. In this moment there is the opportunity to do things on an artwork that won’t be possible later. Realizing this, one can try to do something with the moment, or let it slip away, but not expect it to come back.
Angela,
Thanks for your confidence, I appreciate it.