“To look at something as though you had never seen it requires great courage.”
Henri Matisse

More Thoughts About Setting Goals

The goals I set for a painting session or for a particular work in progress can be either broad or specific. For me, the more specific the better. All I need is 2 or 3 specific goals and I am on my way.

I begin creating based on my “to do” list. I head in the direction I think I want to go. I watch what happens as I paint. I try and let the painting take me where it wants to go. I trust my intuition. I focus on the process. I give myself permission to try things. Every once in awhile, I reassess to see if the painting is matching my original vision for it.

I start out with 2 or 3 specific goals and by the time I have checked them off my list, I usually have 5 more things that I want to do to the piece. Working this way builds momentum and allows me to “find a way in” to my creativity. And I always have a list of things that I know I want to do with a painting.

The worst thing for me is to be standing in front of a painting with no clue about what to do next.

Setting goals actually allows me to be more creative and to focus on the process.

If you do not currently set goals for your painting sessions or works in progress, give it a try, and let me know if it works for you. For more on setting goals, see last weeks blog (if you missed it).

Best,

David