“I don’t like to say I have given my life to art. I prefer to say art has given me my life.”
Frank Stella, Artist

The Process Is The Art

I am an artist, first. I am also an educator, and as a result, I am always looking for teaching moments to pass on to my students.

A teaching moment has revealed itself during the conception of my up coming artist-in-residence/exhibit, “A Roomful Of Ghosts”, at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (October 5-December 2, 2018).

I wanted to have an exhibit that was not only a visual experience for the viewer, but also an educational experience as well.

Thus, the idea for creating the entire exhibit (10 Paintings) in the museum over a 2 month period was born. The idea being that visitors can actually observe the “mysterious” creative process of one artist. And hopefully gain some insight as to what creativity is all about. Viewers can watch me work, ask questions, follow my progress, and feel as if they are part of the process of the creation of these pieces.

I always talk about “process” and how important “process” is to creativity. And, that by focusing on process (the doing, the activity, the time spent creating) rather than on the outcome, the finished work almost always comes out better. As opposed to focusing on how the final painting will look.

So, here is the big revelation. “A Roomful Of Ghosts” is really all about the process. It is about the creation of 10 paintings. This exhibit will be about the making. The choices and decisions. The fits and starts. The struggle. The disappointment and frustration. The Ah Ha moments. The happy accident. The trials and tribulations. And the fun of being involved in the process.

For this exhibit, the process is the art.

After this artist-in-residence/exhibit is complete, I am going to try and adopt this philosophy when I get back into my studio. And, I urge you to consider the idea of thinking about process being just as important as the finished painting.

Best,

David

Chomping at the bit to tell me what you think? Leave a comment below.

[UPCOMING EXHIBIT]

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: A ROOMFUL OF GHOSTS

SAN LUIS OBISPO MUSEUM OF ART

1010 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo CA 93401 | (805) 543-8562

October 5 - December 2, 2018

I will be an artist-in-residence at the museum for the entire two month run of the show creating 10 new paintings from start to finish. Come watch me work, ask questions and follow my progress. Save the date and click here for more details.