Do you know how sometimes make something that is so good that it even surprises you? It seemed so effortless, and till this day you still kind of wonder how you made it? It is that good.
I have often wondered why I can’t do this more often. I discovered it has to do with my thinking…
Sometimes in making my Art I am overly concerned with results. This usually happens after an absence, when I have not been making art for a week or two. I keep thinking about how it is going to turn out. This mindset doesn’t ever produce my best work. When I am too focused on the outcome, I am simply not present. And then I am no longer able to fully experience the small miraculous thing unfolding in front of me. If my decisions are not based upon what is happening presently, then they cannot possibly all work together to make a cohesive whole in the future.
At some point – usually day two or three – I remember that it is more about enjoying the moment and paying attention to what is happening now, that oddly results in my best work.
If it seems too good to be true, it might be. NW Share on XNow I no longer wait so long to get back to this understanding. I simply have changed my process.
Quantity over Quality
For me, the way to quickly come back to this understanding is through quantity, not quality. I just start back in doing 5-10 paintings, instead of just one, all at once. This is almost more than I can possibly handle. But this is a good thing. If I can’t possibly understand entirely what I am doing in the present, then having a clear understanding of the future or clinging to an outcome is next to impossible.
In other words, when you are trying to control everything, at least for me, it just kills my art. However, when there are just too many balls in the air to control everything, intuition, spontaneity, and just plain fun creep back into my process. Once I am re-engaged in this way, then and only then can strong work become possible.
My best work oddly feels like I made it without caring. It just kind of happened by accident while I was playing with art materials. And in fact it was…
Art, like life, teaches me again and again that all possibility, all things worthwhile are available if I just can let go and surrender, happily to the present.
It seems to good to be true. But I think it is.
In gratitude, 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.
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Nick, I find this to be so true too. My best work can happen when I have no intention at all and am just enjoying the pleasure of putting paint to a substraight. One piece that reminds me of that in particular was when I was feeling melancholy about something and just started painting loosely and freely (and more boldly than usual). I was happy about the result at the time, but didn’t really see what was kind of magical. I never could have done it if I had been “trying”. What I guess I was doing was expressing some kind of a strong emotion I was feeling at the time. I know it’s a good piece, because I have had so much positive feedback on it from people whom I respect (artists, teachers or curators). It makes me think “How can I ever do something like that again?” You’ve answered my question, and it makes so much sense. Many thanks. You are such an incredibly fine and sensitive artist/teacher/mentor/coach!!
Thanks for sharing Susan – I can really relate. Those magical moments are really magical aren’t they? I’m having fun noticing when I’m in one and enjoying it all the more. Not that they happen all the time, but I’m working on it! Enjoy the process!
Yes Lana…what I forgot to mention is that the magic doesn’t seem to happen as much as I would like either, but it’s so good to have this feedback that makes it more likely to appear more often….all the more motivation for spending more and more time in the studio (which is becoming more of a magnet for me as we get deeper into this learning process), so it’s like I want to be there all the time!
PS….Wow! I’m looking at all those huge buckets of paint in your studio photo…pretty inspiring!
Oh, thank you!! I’ve had this success of working freely, having a show and selling work–once. But it seemed too easy – it didn’t seem valid. So I stopped doing that series. I STOPPED MAKING ART that seemed TOO EASY. I’m an idiot! Success scared me. I’m not certain what to do with this knowledge. Just recognize it, and watch for it to happen again.
Thank you for your validation!
I know what you mean when you say it didn’t seem valid. Hasn’t today’s letter been just the best thing to hear?
Agree,the same thing happened to me! Today’s letter was just what this artist needed!
Going to the studio NOW!
Wonderful post! Thanks for articulating this so well. When I simply play, bounce between a number of canvases and panels, and follow whatever idea or “what if” that pops up (and I remind myself that I can always change it if I don’t like what happens), I experience great surprises and produce some of my favorite work.
I love the “what if” idea, such a great invitation to experiment. And that it can always be changed – it’s just paint! I try to keep those thoughts in mind too.
What a nice way to start my day! Heading into the studio with no expectations 😀
Thank you Nic👌
I do appreciate all your thoughts .
It all makes good sense !
Being in present time is very important. And you stated that perfectly. But I’m having a problem with getting out of being frugal with my paint. And with having a preconceived idea of one thing for the painting or the whole painting. I guess I am at times working in the past and I need to get the present time. Thanks for the reminder! For my next paintings.
Buy some bigger pots of paint (better value) and dig in. Buy some cheaper paint – some of it is really good! Scoop out big gobs of it and lay it on and have fun. Have an abundance mentality. It’s amazing how long those pots of paint last if you keep the lids screwed on.
Great advice! Just what I was needing. I’ve been in a rut for weeks, painting and repainting over the same canvas. Sometimes I think I just accidentally make good art. I’ll make a few good paintings and think I’ve found my groove at last, only to discover that with the next paintings I’m working way too hard on and hating the results. I’m going to try working on more than two paintings and see what happens.
it is so nice to hear your thoughts, put out in such a humane way. Every word is important.
I feel almost ready to start 5 to 10 paintings at a time, my paints are all dried in, so it will be an effort !
but thanks to you, I’m almost doing it !
🌈Magic happens
Just for a moment be still
Thank you Kathleen.
Yes, this resonates with me
I loved your heading. I remember my earlier days of just letting go and having fun. I was enjoying expressing myself in the moment. And then an unfortunate thought creeped into my mind, “It can’t be good art if it was so quick and easy. It should be more complicated and fraught with struggle. What makes you think you know what you’re doing? You need more training. And angst.” And so when I read your heading I thought, “I remember when art was easy and fun. I want to get back to that. Can I get back to that?” Lately the word “enjoying” has been surfacing. Like my 86 year old dad said to me the other day, “As long as you’re enjoying the process and having fun with it.” My dad is telling me to have fun! Thank you dad, I love hearing this from you! And happily “enjoying” was in your letter today Nicholas. It is sad that I now have to work at enjoying the process. For better or for worse, formal training has killed some of that natural joy. Or perhaps all the blame should go to my inner dialogue. But I intend to get back to my joy until it becomes second nature again. And I’m going to try your process idea of working on multiple paintings. I did that with 3 paintings a few years ago and it was a wonderful experience. I think I can clean away space to make room to work on 5 at a time. Thanks for the inspiration Nicholas.
Your right… ! I am now worried about the two paintings I’m working on….yesterday I found myself veering off and working on some very small paintings.., just for fun. It was fun… almost made me feel guilty that I could not have that same wild abandon with the two “serious” paintings. Got to be a way to get back to that feeling with the two paintings. Maybe I should start a third in the series… to let go and be open. So hard to do, so easy! Maybe. Space is an issue…but just thinking about this is fun! I’ll do it today! Thank you… you are such a good teacher!
That is SO true! I believe that I made one of my best works (or maybe the best?) when I was sticking bits of paper on a sheet and then playing with watercolors on it, not thinking in producing THE work of art. It was sold immediately and is the one that gets more “likes” in Pinterest.
It’s so natural to get in my own way!
Gotta trick myself to let go and just play! Thank you for reinforcing this.
Painting on multiple panels really works and I’m just beginning to get it and let this process begin.
Thank you🌷
You are right! I’ve found that getting back to spontaneity is really difficult. I’m going to try working on several pieces at once as you suggest. I remember the Brian Wilson quote “Once in a blue moon your soul comes out to play” We need to give it space, and I guess just not be wrapped up in the outcome.
Thanks for the reminder.
yours in Gratitude,
Barry
If only I had the space to do more than one painting at a time!!!!
Do lots of small ones! 🌞
Amen! I am continually amazed how life and art are mirrors of each other! Thank you Nicholas for your wonderful teachings and profound wisdom!
Another way of by-passing the tendency to over-care about the result is to have a tight deadline. One of my best paintings was literally painted overnight, because I needed just one more painting, of a particular size and shape, to fit a wall in the gallery where I was exhibiting. I didn’t have any time to think, or worry, or care, so it flowed beautifully. I liked it so much, I kept it!
I was scared to paint. (afraid of not being able to make things I liked) Then I decided to ignore that and just paint. In my studio I have but one rule. That is to paint. To let what ever comes come. If I make things I don’t like, it is no big deal; I just paint over it.
Once in a while I make stuff I really like. And I feel I am in an adventure, excited about what paintings will enroll in the future.
And no, I should not be thinking – that doesn’t lead to art (for me right now). But I shall be totally present.
And speed? Doing alot? Yes, it seems to be a good way for me to work (right now).
I have good and bad painting days. Days of more and days of less presense. Mostly I have good workingdays. The bad ones don’t scare me anymore.
You are SO right about this! And I need the reminder right now since I have not been in my studio for at least eight weeks due to some health issues and a knee replacement. On the mend now and will start making art after the weekend (kids coming, celebrating 50th anniversary😄). A copy of your essay from today will be pinned to the wall! Thanks!!
So true. That’s why, for me, the first of my boards (b/w and limited palette) has been easier than my second one–because I’m fresh and not thinking too much–this is opposite of what you usually tell us that the second one is usually better than the first….By the second one, I’m thinking and laboring too much about the result. My marks end up being forced, the design contrived and not authentic. I guess this means, like you say, I should have more boards and just be in the play mindset.
so true 🙂 But we have to try (planned) things as well. I think that these then stay in our sub conscious and appear when we least expect to make the magic happen.
I try to do quantity over quality when I am in a brain fog from being tired, ill, or unmotivated but am still anxious about not spending time in my studio. The studio is like a magnet always. I use inexpensive paper and canvases to print, paint, doodle and play during these times. It is amazing how it can make you feel like you have accomplished a little bit of something. And some of these play pieces end up pushing me forward.
Have you ever avoided your studio because you are afraid if you go in you will never come out? Send the guys in the white coats….
I have often avoided it because I think I won’t have enough time to properly devote my attention to a project. I prefer to have long stretches at a time in the studio and don’t want to leave even to pee or eat. This is when the push and pull happens. Yes once I am in my space I don’t want to leave.
I think I forget this when I haven’t had sales in a long time. I lose confidence in myself thinking that any new work that I’m producing isn’t up to the same quality as what I did before that sold. Had a boost this past week when a new abstract won 2nd Award for Mixed Media. It’s what I want to do…what I feel inside…what gives me the most sense of fun when creating…and yet the doubt still lingers. Hope that didn’t sound like whining! :*)
I so WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE! I just finished one on this note and thought no one would care about it much…not so! Over and over, you affirm me and I am so grateful, knowing I am not alone! Thanks genuinely! 😉
Yes. True. The importance of play in painting .. or whatever media !
The first hour of new painting or working again on layers can be special. Might have been Nicholas that said it!
I trick myself sometimes to get started by telling myself what I am working on is just a study. So often they are better than the ‘real’ one. See? There is an upside to deluding oneself! Glad it still works! Ha ha
When I paint with the mindset of just ‘letting go’ that’s when I produce my best work. When I overthink, or start looking at the painting as a ‘client’ vs a partner, things go south quickly. Takes a while to ‘let go’ when painting, but it’s worth it.
Thou art wise and btw you have a monster studio ! Wow