Blowing the Doors Off
Blowing the Doors Off
There are seasons when creating art feels stale, rote and repetitive. I still love the act but find myself wallowing in small successes. I concentrate on technique. I analyze everything. I get technical but I don't feel very creative. I'm doing the same things in the same ways.
That's how it's been lately.
Then Vjekoslav Nemesh came to town. He invited me to collaborate with him on a canvas. His art is vey abstract and wonderful and I've admired it from the start.
Of course I agreed. Who wouldn't? Inside though, a little voice nagged at me about how I didn't paint the way he did. I wouldn't bring anything to the table. I wasn't worthy.
Regardless of the voice; I showed up.
I asked him what the plan was and he told me he didn't have one.
WHAT?
No plan? I always have to have a plan.
I admit, at the beginning I felt completely incompetent. Everything I added looked horrible. All my marks were tentative. My color choices, weak. Slowly though the painting took a turn. (I should say that I took a turn.) It became fun and I liked how it was looking.
In the end the painting felt complete.
Now my admiration of Nemesh's work has an element of gratitude. He has inspired me to drop my expectations.
I was heading in a direction but I feel like he lit the path for me.
I think the big take away is to continue to experiment. Try new things. Use different techniques, colors or whatever it takes to fan the ember of excitement in creation.
I'm grateful.
I'm inspired!