PUSH UNTIL PULLED
The Soul Searcher Drawings. “Untitled”, 16”x 12”, graphite, acrylic and collage on paper. © 2021 David Limrite
“The painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through.”
Jackson Pollock, Artist
Push Until Pulled
When I have a new idea for a series of paintings, it can be a bit of a slog at first in my attempts to bring my ideas to visual fruition. I spend the bulk of my time at the beginning involved in thinking, writing, sketching, researching, reading, as well as in all of the preparation it takes to get started painting. I happen to love this part of the creative process, and although I enjoy doing all of these things, it requires much time and effort.
The first few paintings also require much time and effort, as well as, exploration, searching, discovery, failed attempts, learning and trying again.
Most of my beginnings can be difficult and even excruciating at times. It often feels as if I am pushing my paintings up a very steep hill, always making slow and steady progress, while being difficult and challenging at the same time.
But, after several attempts and much hard work, I find myself not having to push so hard. I eventually get into the creative flow and start to focus more on the process of creating which allows me to spend less energy on pushing and forcing the outcome.
And then, at some point, the paintings start to collaborate with me. I paint and they respond by suggesting what I could do next. More often than not, the painting is spot on with its suggestions of what it needs most from me. It actually feels as if the painting is pulling me along and guiding me and my decision making.
The process is still not without its bumps in the road. But, I know that the harder I work at the beginning of creating a new series and the harder I push to get these new paintings off the ground, the more the paintings seem to want to pull me along the path towards their creation.
Work hard. Paint hard. Focus on the process.
Push your work until you are pulled by it.
Best,
David