PROCESS CAN BE MESSY
“Untitled”, 10”x 8”, mixed media on wood, Copyright 2016 David Limrite
“I believe that there is, at this point in history, a desperate need for a resurgence of humanism, a reawakening of values. I believe that art - art of any kind - can play a significant part in the reaffirming of man”.
Ben Shahn, Artist, 1949
Process Can Be Messy
The above quote by Ben Shahn is just as meaningful today as it was when he said it back in 1949. Maybe more so.
Process! Process! Process! I know… I sound like a broken record. However, I wanted to start off the new year by really emphasizing this idea of “PROCESS NOT PRODUCT”, in the hopes that it will set you up with the right frame of mind to begin a productive year of creativity and artistic freedom.
Process involves passion, hunger, commitment, desire, play, search, discovery, breakthroughs, ah ha moments and fun.
Process is hard work. It does not come easy sometimes. And it can be very messy.
First of all, you have to show up and try. You have to begin. You have to work. On a regular basis. There is just no substitute for showing up and working hard. You have to put brush to canvas or pencil to paper. You have to get your hands dirty. You have to take risks, make mistakes and fail, over and over, in order to learn anything. You have to focus and concentrate. You have to contemplate and evaluate. You have to complete.
You have to detach from the outcome. Yes, you heard me! You have to not care whether what you create is good or not. I know…
You have to be “in the moment” with every brush stroke, pencil mark, drip, splash and erasure. You have to make a mark, observe, react and make another mark.
Process can be messy. However, the benefits can be wonderful, magical, meaningful and fulfilling.
Happy New Year,
David
