ALWAYS BE LEARNING
Before
After
“Step Over The Line And Into Borrowed Time”, 72”x 40 1/2”, charcoal, acrylic, and spray paint on paper, Copyright 2013/2014 David Limrite
“If painting weren’t so difficult, it wouldn’t be fun.”
~Edgar Degas
Sunday Musings
After I sent out my post “LIKING VS DOING, a couple of weeks ago, I received several emails from people who were curious to see the “BEFORE” image of the drawing that I completed, that I did not like, that I included in an exhibit anyway, and that I decided to re-work. In the post, I discussed my process of going back into the piece and re-working it. The top photo, above, is how the piece looked as I exhibited it. The bottom photo, above, is the re-worked drawing. You be the judge and let me know what you think.
Always Be Learning
You do not have it all figured out. I certainly do not have this creativity, drawing, painting and image-making thing figured out at all. I am always trying new things, and as a result, I am always learning and growing.
Trying new techniques, combinations, methods, and art materials are only part of it. You must also take risks, step outside your comfort zone, and go into uncharted territory. Constantly. This requires that you have a sense of adventure. And, you will most certainly make some awful stuff in the process. Just know this: carry on. and create anyway. And, as always, love the process.
All of the great hitters in baseball strike out way more than they hit a home run. When they strike out, they don’t hang up their bat and quit playing baseball. They get back up to the plate again. And again. And again. They go for it. They hit home runs. They continue to strike out in the process. They learn. And they get better and better.
(Sorry for using a sports metaphor, but it was too perfect.)
The artists that I know (and know of) who have settled into one style or technique, have done just that. They have settled. Their art has gone stagnant. And most importantly, these artists ave stopped learning and growing. And it shows in their work.
Which kind of artist do you want to be? A stagnant artist who is not interested in learning and growing as a creator, or a courageous artist who takes risks and is always learning?
Best,
David
