RECOGNIZING OPPORTUNITIES
Study for a new series of pieces for an upcoming exhibit entitled “Ancestors and Archetypes”. 30”x 22”, charcoal on paper. More details about this exhibit to come.
“One must work, nothing but work, and one must have patience.”
~Auguste Rodin
I really like the word opportunity. It just sounds so positive when you say it out loud. I try to see issues that come up in my creative life as opportunities rather than problems.
An opportunity to learn.
An opportunity to try again.
An opportunity to grow.
For me, it’s all about starting from a place where anything is possible.
There are opportunities everywhere. You just have to learn to recognize them for what they are, instead of what they seem to be. At the outset, if something looks like a problem, try finding the opportunity.
When I am painting, and I think I have made a mistake or really messed up, instead of saying, “I have a problem on my hands now”, I try to say, “OK, I messed up but now I have an opportunity to make this painting even better.” I certainly know what doesn’t work. And that is learning and growth, as well.
Once you start seeing things as opportunities, they will open themselves up to you. Then it becomes about choosing how you are going to make the most out of the opportunity. It comes down to choosing to create or not. To initiate. To start. To try. To try again.
And even though there will never be a guarantee that things will work out, you head in the direction of the opportunity and create anyway.
Best,
David
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