I am coming to the end of an enormous amount of art making. I have produced about 25 paintings in the last 5 months and soon they will all be picked up from my studio for a month long exhibition at Caldwell Snyder Gallery opening Thursday, June 5th.
For months I imagined how great it would feel to get to this point. I prayed that I would. I woke up in the middle of the night worrying that I would not. Now that I have, I see that this actual point in time is not particularly different from than any other point in the year. Yes it feels gratifying and I am happy that this body of work is finally complete. Knowing you have to accomplish a giant pile of anything is daunting and of course completion offers some relief. I certainly have learned a tremendous amount.
However, thinking there will ever be some final endpoint to your work is illusory. Like a mirage, the endpoint just moves further away as you get closer.
I think what I am saying is that you never really arrive. The next painting, the one just started, is always going to be the best. It usually is not, but somehow completing it moves you just a little bit closer to that eventuality.
Sometimes, in the middle of workshops, after a few days, once everyone knows each other and pretty much everyone is happily making their own work, I just acknowledge, try to remind people that this satisfying moment, this experience of happily making art with friends IS the endpoint. It is an enormous achievement to just be happily in the creative process humming away, feeling curious and excited about what you are doing.
That is the whole point. Picasso in all his fame and success probably did not feel much different than you or I when he was contentedly working in his studio. I love not buying into this idea that only after years and years of toiling, then and only then, will you start to feel happy and content in your Art.
Art making is not something you ever perfect. It is not supposed to get easier with time. It is supposed to be solid in its refusal to be gained. It can’t be perfected and if it ever becomes so then inevitably feelings of boredom will set in. First experienced by the artist and then, soon afterwards, the audience as well. Art making is a practice. It is begun and if continued can be tremendously transforming for the practitioner. Each artist’s practice gets to go through all the wonderful stages of maturation. The journey, the ride through this highly personal terrain with all its hopes and disappointments is what makes it all so worthwhile.
Thinking some point in the future will somehow be better than what is present is slightly flawed. You wouldn’t want to miss ANY of the stages that you get to experience as you and your work mature. It is a ride only you can experience and fortunately/unfortunately you get to do it only once. It is reassuring that the most compelling, fulfilling point so far in your art making is now.
Kind regards, Nicholas
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Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
So beautifully said Nick and so true in just about everything one does in life (including law for me). The experience itself can be transforming in whatever we do. As has been said many times and for many reasons, it is the journey itself and not the destination that is so worthwhile.
Sara! I was just thinking about you today—how is your art journey going? Are you coming to the Ranch Mentorship retreat in a few weeks? We are going to be doing art big time!
Nick, up until 3 weeks ago I was very busy making art. I also took 2 art classes at Otis Art Institute and will be taking another class this summer. I just got back from an amazing trip to South Africa which is giving me new ideas for paintings.
I’m trying to arrange coming to the mentorship retreat and will let you know soon if I can come. I miss you, the other mentees and the mentorship program.
Much success on your upcoming show!
Hey Sara–sorry we missed you at the retreat–come back on the site –everyone is there…glad to hear yo are still painting!
I love this! You said it so well! I experience this in so many ways and am really trying to embrace it lately. The anticipation and process of waiting and being open are so often more in depth and exciting than the final experience/moment you have been waiting for…i.e. the ice cream cone at the scoop or dream vacation or the roller coaster ride etc.
I like that north star example… We see it shining and we are aiming for it but we never really get there… all the while we know where we are headed and when we are off the path… but it is really just the journey and that is it!
always love reading your insights! look forward to seeing your new work next week!
Julie- nice to hear from you! Hope u r staying involved in that remarkable art of yours….look forward to seeing you soon!
Robert Henri said -” The object isn’t to make art,it”s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.”
Also I’d like to say the object you make is not art, it is the end result of that”wonderful state” that Henri speaks of. ART happens during the making of something.The finished product is essentially a record of the art making process. Thank you for your essays! They always inspire me.
Hi Nicholas,
Love your articles/blogs:
I’m a newbie at your site (have admired your work for some time) & somewhat as a painter. As an interior designer, I have much of what it takes….to be an artist that is. However, my head gets into my own way as it sometimes can with design. I’m an old design pro but a new artist soul.
When my life frees up, I have on my list to take one of your art workshops ~ it would be freeing.
As I’m viewing my latest art piece + having a glass of Pinot Gris I’ll sign off saying——
Cheers!