Some of the more abstract pieces that I have created lately were missing that emotional quality I love, so I tried to bring that back in this one.
I like it, but unfortunately, I lost some of the abstract edge that I have been working so hard to achieve. Maybe I will get it all on the next one.
© 2017 David Limrite

“Ideas are merely points of departure, the kernels from which greater units grow, the observations that trigger larger developments.”
Anna Held Audette, Artist

Prioritizing Your Projects

Having ideas for a single painting, a series of paintings or any type of art project is a wondrous thing. I am fortunate to have lots of ideas swirling around in my head and they are all jotted down in my visual journal, or else I would surely forget most of them. I am not sure where I get my ideas from but I thank my muse everyday for the ideas I receive.

So, how do I choose and prioritize which paintings and projects I will work on?

I get most of my ideas while I am painting, so I think it is important to be in the process of creating if you want to receive ideas. I write down every idea, good or bad. You never know.

I review my journal every month or so. This gives the ideas a chance to marinate. When I review my journal, the ideas that no longer resonate with me get deleted. The ideas that still get my juices flowing are the ones I seriously consider working on.

So, lets say that I have 3 ideas that I am seriously considering. Which one of these do I choose to work on next?

My main artistic interest has always been the figure, so I usually gravitate towards the ideas that serve my main interest.I look for ideas that will challenge me and that feel a bit risky. I always want to advance my skill, style or technique, so I take this into consideration when choosing a project. I love to work in a series format so I usually choose projects that lend themselves to being explored through several paintings, instead of just one. And, I try and choose the project that excites me right now, in the moment, and that makes me want to start creating it immediately.

Sometimes I will have 2 or 3 different projects going on at the same time. Usually one of the projects will take over my interest and attention. When this happens, I set the other 2 projects aside and focus on the one that has me in its grasp.

Best,

David