Is "How to Paint" the Right Question?

re: Is "How to Paint" the Right Question?

dmaidman — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:03:37 GMT

Moleskine makes a very charming line of notebooks which can be kept in the pocket or, uh, I don't know what women have instead of pockets - purses? Tell me you have pockets, Sarah! I hate to think of you pocketsless. Anyhow, I've been carrying a notebook in my pocket since 1991 for precisely the kind of situation you describe.

Not the same notebook, of course. It would be pretty icky by now.

re: Is "How to Paint" the Right Question?

Sarah A Boardman — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:09:52 GMT

Well, I think it is a good thing, but it is the "without my permission" bit that gets me going!!! Sometimes I have to write on the back of my grocery list or on a tissue. I have a sketchbook in the car, but it never seems to be handy when I need it!

re: Is "How to Paint" the Right Question?

dmaidman — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:39:22 GMT

Kisu - I think that is exactly right. It's like training for acting: practice until your skills are so profound that you can forget them. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing this work!

Sarah - well, I think that's a good thing! If you've got a voice telling you what to do and how to do it, that's kind of what they call inspiration, right? I'm glad you enjoyed the paintings as well. They are really something in person.

re: Is "How to Paint" the Right Question?

Sarah A Boardman — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:13:43 GMT

A thought provoking article, Daniel. I have often had this very discussion with myself, but in the end, the ideas usually just seem to evolve in my head without my permission! I think that the various approaches are really interesting, and it is each of our personal compilations of data which create the ultimate product. I have printed this out to read in depth several times. Thank you for this insight!

By the way, the Self Portrait with a Cold is brilliant!!!! What an amazing portrait! Also Ben, which is so full of emotions.

re: Is "How to Paint" the Right Question?

Kisu — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:22:19 GMT

Thanks, Daniel, and thanks for bringing us such interesting work. If I understand you correctly, what we really have to do is two seemingly contradictory things that really aren't at odds: always look at and study a lot of other artists work, but then put that all aside when we deal with our own.