“What is interesting is the artist, and what is interesting about the artist are his own convictions.”
David Smith, Artist

Respect Your Imagery

Elmer Bischoff, an artist who was part of the Bay Area Figurative Movement in the 50’s and 60’s, (along with Richard Diebenkorn and David Park, among others), created by these 4 principles:

1. Work hard

2. Take chances

3. Respect the validity of your own imagery

4. Accept the struggle of the creative process

I have written many times about 1, 2, and 4. What really interests me in his list is the idea of “respecting the validity of your own imagery”.

“your imagery” is your subject matter. Whatever you have decided to paint. What interests you. What inspires you.

For me, my imagery is the figure. I have worked with the figure for most of, if not all of my artistic life. I love working with the figure. I love being inspired by it and the challenge of finding new ways to depict it. My interest has long been depicting the figure emotionally.

Recently, I have become interested in abstracting the figure. I love the mystery, emotion and drama that I create in my work. Everything I do is inspired by the figure. The figure is “my imagery”.

I think this is what Elmer Bischoff is talking about when he says, “Respect the validity of your own imagery”. Choose your imagery and go “ALL IN” on it. Accept it. Convince yourself that it is worthy of your time, energy and effort. And then pursue it with passion.

Best,

David

[ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS]

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED MIXED MEDIA FIGURE DRAWING & PAINTING

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