In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron takes up the issue of art as process rather than product. I’d really like you to think about this with me for a minute because I feel it’s one of the biggest reasons people don’t get around to doing their art.
She points out that,“We inherit the obsession with product and the idea that art produces finished product from our consumer-oriented society.” And here’s the thing: When we think like this we can stop ourselves before we even begin and I don’t want that to happen to you.
The notion of needing to come up with a good idea that will result in an acceptable finished product before you even put brush to canvas can stop you in your tracks. So what I suggest whole heartedly is that you just begin. Paint! And see where that takes you.
If you’re one of my students reading this right now, you know what a difficult concept this is to grasp. We’ve gone round and round about it in class. We are raised to believe the finished work of art is the point and, further, that some art is good while other art is bad. So we fear we may somehow do it wrong and the finished product, which is supposedly the whole reason to begin in the first place, may not be good enough. Yikes! How do we ever start under that kind of pressure?
Or, we can get stuck making the art others expect of us. I knew a brilliant young painter in Utah whose work was so well received that galleries clamored to represent him, they all gave him one-man shows and each wanted at least 30 paintings per show. He regularly sold out at $10,000 per painting. This sounds terrific, and it is, sort of. What happened to my friend, however, was he became locked into the particular style of painting that everyone expected of him. His galleries didn’t want him to paint anything else and he didn’t have time to paint for fun or to experiment. He was miserable, sick at heart, and felt he was betraying his artist every single day.
As artists I believe we are meant to go out on a limb, to try things we’ve never done before. It’s how we find our way to the next expression. That’s hard to do when an audience is expecting a particular product from us. I believe we must follow the path of the artist within, not a market. Art must be deep and real to be worthwhile, first to the artist making it and then to the viewer.
As Julia Cameron says, “Creativity lies not in the DONE but in the DOING… ” It is ACTIVE and incomplete—always shifting, always becoming.
Most of you reading this blog aren’t looking for careers as professional artists, so there truly is no reason you should have to focus on finished pieces. You’re not painting a show or supplying a gallery. You’re not earning your livings from the work you produce. So bask in the freedom this affords you, the freedom we all should be embracing. Pick up your brushes and PAINT! PLAY. That’s really when we create our best pieces anyway: When we get out of our heads, into our hearts and let the work flow. When we actively play. When we go deep into process with no worries for finished product.
Love to you all,
Jeane
The photos of Jeane in today’s post were provided by Kevin Hulett.
This article was useful when looking for:
- process artists (47)
- process art (44)
- art as a process (39)
- art as process (30)
- art process (26)
- yhs-fh_lsonsw (13)
My EXACT thoughts as I worked in my studio yesterday! I went in there with no preconceived idea of just
“what” I would do. I only had a blank slab of clay in front of me that had dried over night and was ready
for work…sort of like looking at a blank sheet of paper when I was trying to write many, many years ago.
I decided to just start playing with it…build up some layers of clay, slip and color to see what happened.
It was amazing. Each layer led to another idea and I had a wonderful afternoon. I haven’t looked at it
this morning yet, but it doesn’t really matter. If I like it, I’ll fire it…if not, I’ll start something new.
YES! Exactly! Isn’t it great when we can get into that space? I want this blog to become a place where artists can talk about the issues of making art and what comes up for us as we do. Thanks for your part of the conversation.
Today wasn’t so fun…..but, I go on.
Ah, yes, those days come and, I think, have their purpose too, if for no other reason than to make us rise above. I had a heady day of creating yesterday too and then, after teaching this AM, headed into the studio and was felled by back spasms, so I got very little done. Everything in its time…
Jeane: as usual, always enjoyable viewing your entries-your major black and white from the Gallery is still one of your major works-Best wishes to you and Anna tonight in Santa Fe- CCA has over the years been a grand venue’ Best, Bill
Thank you Bill! Wish you and Margaret could be there tonight, but I’ll post pictures of the event on the blog this Monday, so you can experience it that way. Have a great “art tour” of NYC. Can’t wait to hear about it.
Jeane,
In reading your wise and lovely blog I came again back to “being”.
In looking to the source of what you suggest above I came across this writing on a website:
“When we experience the freedom of play to explore what is possible, we can step out of our normal way of thinking. We step out of the limits and boundaries imposed by our thinking. In doing so, we move towards the Source of Creation from which all Creation emanates. The more we move out of mind the more we move toward the Source and the greater expansion we feel within our being. The Source is a place of spontaneous and innocent play of discovery and exploration as to what is possible. At the Source all is possible. There are no limits and no boundaries.
(Here are some elaborations, of which there are many more:)
No expectations: Although consciousness/Consciousness my hold an intention to create a desired experience, there are no expectation on exactly how it will manifest. It is to step out of mind and frees itself from its own limitations and barriers. It is free to flow and unfold the desire recreating itself and/or its environment as necessary.
Surrendering to the flow of energy: Consciousness does not meddle with the flow of energy it has created. It is free to surrender to the creative process. It allows the energy to flow and unfold into a manifestation of its desire.
Following our internal compass: Following our internal compass is only to hold alignment with the feeling that arises from the flow of energy flowing to manifest the desired intention. It is not to become distracted with outer concerns. It is to hold a clear intention and hold a single point focus on manifesting that intention through feeling. K. Ferlic
http://ryuc.info/common/play/play_source_creation.htm
XOXOXO
Grace:)
EXACTLY! Isn’t it beautiful how many ways there are to say the same thing? “The more we move out of mind…” The possibilities are endless!
Jeane —
Thank you so much for reminding me of this. I am a beginning painter and I’ve found myself stuck for some time now. Too scared to keep painting because i might mess things up. And feeling heartsick when something I try doesn’t go how I’d planned. Your words really spoke to me as I get ready to start this day of painting.
I’ve going to take this to heart and give it a shot to just paint for the joy of painting.
I’m blogging about my experience and wonder if I might share some of your words of wisdom with my readers. You can see my bog here: http://www.paintingherselfintobeing.wordpress.com.
I relate to your story of rebirth as well. I didn’t have a NDE, but I had pretty well wiped myself out before I let in the love of painting.
Many blessings,
Sheri Ponzi
Hi Sheri–
I’m sorry it took awhile for me to access your comments. We’re just putting a new comment system in place and I’m still learning. But I’m just so very pleased that you found the blog and you’re feeling supported by it. That’s such wonderful news! I’m thrilled you were reminded of what you already
knew–that our work is all about the process–which allowed you to set yourself free into the joy of painting today. I wish that for you every day.
Yes, by all means, share whatever parts of the blog you’d like on your site. It’s a great compliment. Thank you.
So glad you let in the love of painting before the universe took you to your knees. One of the reasons I’m doing the blog is the hope others may be inspired to their truth before having to experience a crisis.
I really like what you’re doing on your blog. FYI, I tried using your FB share button but it wouldn’t share it to my FB page. I did it myself, but thought you’d like to know that option isn’t working–at least not for me.
I’m so happy to meet you! Let’s see where our journeys take us.
Blessings to you,
Jeane
Thanks for the heads up about the FB Share button. I’ve got it all fixed now.
Thank you again for the inspiration. I’ so excited t be up ad running again. Letting go of the product and (mostly) letting go of the comparison to my classmates…
Blessings,
Sheri
You’re welcome.
So glad you’re up and running again too. Yay!
I’m very surprised to not find the word “artwork” in your blog post. 🙂 Indeed, art is the process and the product of this process is usually called “artwork” (a work of art). Sadly this distinction is usually forgotten these days. 🙂
Hmmm, that’s a good point tokai. I’ll be more sensitive to using proper language in future posts.
Hi Jeane, I just googled ‘art as process’ and stumbled upon your blog. How
appropriate that you live in northern New Mexico as I’ve been in love with northern New Mexico since living there for several years in the late 90s. I’ve since relocated further west
but reading your blog has made me heartsick for NM’s big skies. But clearly my search was for art as process, and hence, here I am… Thank you for the inspiration.
Hi Trish–
I’m so happy to know that this post comes up on a google search of ‘art as process,’ and I’m delighted you found something in it that may inspire. Thanks so much for letting me know.
There is much to miss about northern NM. It’s simply a stunning place, as you know. But further west is also wonderful so I hope you’re finding something of beauty there as well.
Wishing you deep, heartfelt days of creating,
Jeane
I love it! For years I’ve been preaching this to fellow Early Childhood Educators! I’m so glad you’ve said it to adults too!!!
It’s such an important topic, isn’t it? I’m glad to know you’re teaching it to children! And preaching it to fellow educators.