Gillian gave me a call about a week ago and we went out to a familiar painting spot. Lured by these rocks I just sat down and painted.....seemed like a good way to explore cool colors on a gray day. It took G a while to find her subject ... me, and her efforts can be found HERE.
The other day a couple people in class said they felt so discouraged about trying do to a portrait that they wanted to hang it all up, just stop painting. I responded in an email with this:
On quitting painting. Like I said in class, I've done it a thousand times….I did it just yesterday when I was painting in Roslyn in a wind storm so strong that I had to take off my belt and tie my easel to a street sign. After chasing it for twenty feet I tied my hat to my head. There was dirt flying in my paint. The board I was painting on was vibrating in the wind…..and the painting became a flop. My pants fell down.
I quit. Gave it up. Mentally I gave away all my painting gear and books and burned every painting. Decided to just sit the rest of my life. Safer that way.
Today I was out fixing the painting and trying to figure out how I had gone wrong…..posted some stuff in my blog and ordered some gessoed linen. You see, I've started painting all over again feeling like an absolute beginner a thousand and one times…..
You forgot the part about whining all day.......
ReplyDeleteAmusing but true - well written Darrell.
ReplyDeleteDarrell, Thanks for posting the 'I Quit' comments. I just started teaching again, and am reminded of how quickly we can give up when an effort goes south... but there's always the next time, and the promise it offers, if we just keep on.
ReplyDeleteCat
I have the "I quit" moments too, But I'm still such a beginner. I love how you express your thoughts just as much as enjoy looking at your paintings!
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