“A lot of creativity just needs a breath of encouragement to lift its wings."
Dan McCaw, Artist

Let Go and Re-Route

Lately, I have been observing how my brain reacts when I get stuck on a painting. I get stuck when I try to force a painting to go in a direction it obviously does not want to go. I think I am going one way, and yet, the painting has other plans.

I don’t like to waste time and energy trying to figure out why I don’t know what to do next.

The moment I realize I am stuck I stop, take a breath and walk away. Which usually leads me to the conclusion that I must let go of my original motives and intentions that I had for the piece. And then, I return to the piece with an open mind and heart.

I have to tell myself that I am not giving up or giving in. I am letting go and re-routing my thinking in order to be able to allow myself to create the piece, with the piece itself. It is a collaboration after all.

I ask, “What does this particular piece need or want from me?”

And then I listen.

Then I get to choose what I do next. Which is very empowering. And something every artist should embrace.

Best,

David