PART 4 in the studio…
In the studio work (post 4) , I have explained the process that happens with my paintings and in particular the importance of text in my work. While I don’t want the text to be obvious or even to show, I’ve felt it to be important to begin the painting with words from my poetry . Interestingly I have been challenging this concept with the latest painting.
During the last two weeks I’ve been struggling with an image and the struggle has raised this issue. As can be seen from the pictures below, the initial concept for the painting begins with the lines from my poem but I’m finding that the words are becoming a restraining element as the painting grows and takes form. There seems to be two forms of creative thinking here and I’m beginning to question this. As the image has progressed I’m wanting to allow the freedom of the colour and enjoyment of the paint to emerge but my eye keeps returning to the lines of the poem next to the painting and I’m having to pull back. It’s almost as if I’m painting to someone else’s wishes. So today I’ve taken away the poem and just worked with the painting itself to see where it’s leading.
This has made me consider ‘process’ generally. Process too rigidly adhered to can lead to painting to a formula and I’m wondering if this can be why artists’ work can develop a particular style or look which becomes very apparent in an exhibition. So I’m challenging the ‘process’ idea and seeing where that leads…However, individuality enters the debate in my head! Is the individuality of the artist, the ‘voice of the artist’ which we talk so often about – linked to the artist’s process – how he works, what stimulates the ideas, how close does he stay to the original ‘jumping off point’. The struggle that I’ve had with this painting over a number of weeks has been a good one, not so much in the end result but in the mental tossing of ideas and questions. But irrespective of ‘process’, I think there is a need to be watchful when two different forms of creative expression appear to be in conflict.