Dan from Empty Easel: What art means to me.
Dan, from EmptyEasel submitted his take on what Art means to him. Check it out below, and check out Empty Easeltoo.
Art is hard work.
Unlike some, I can’t relax when I’m painting. It’s too difficult, and to be completely honest, I don’t always enjoy it. The real reason I create art—the one thing that makes it worthwhile—is seeing that finished, perfect painting when I’m done.
I actually feel the same way about painting as I do about working on my 1976 Datsun 280z. I love that car, but it takes some serious work to keep it in good shape.
Every time I head out to the garage I just expect to skin my knuckles getting a bolt loose, or to spill brake fluid all over the floor trying to get those darn air bubbles out of the brake lines.
So I plan ahead to make it easier on myself, assembling all my tools beforehand and thinking through the process each step of the way. When I make mistakes, I work twice as hard to fix them, because I know that’s the only way I’ll get my car back on the road again.
And that’s exactly the way I paint, too. I wish it came easy, but it doesn’t—and I’m amazed when I hear other artists say that painting itself is fun. Is it really, for you? Are there any artists out there who know what I’m saying?
Because for me at least, art means a hard day’s work—and yet it’s still worth it in the end.
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7 Comments
I enjoyed Dan’s submission and I feel exactly the same way he does. I often dont enjoy the painting process, its that “High” I get at the very end to see my finished paiting that keeps me going!
I Enjoy your blog very much. Keep up the great work., best wishes, Lisa Lorenz
[...] The contest theme is “What Art Means to Me” and you can read my entry here. [...]
You know what Dan, I have seen your work and it shows. There is no passion, no life, no reason for your work. I wonder why you do it.
I agree totally! For a long time I thought something was wrong with me. I have days when the art comes easy, but alot of the time it is a struggle. It is worth it all in the end, however. Thanks for the validation.
For me it’s not so much a struggle, as a series of problems that need to be solved. I find the biggest problem is just getting started. Once I have a painting in mind, I can’t wait to get at it. That’s why painting in series helps me with the procrastination thing. My current series is aspen leaves in the fall, and I can’t wait to do the next one.
Thanks for your comments, everyone!
Lisa, I definitely agree about the euphoria at the end. In fact, the last 20 minutes or so of every painting is usually a lot of fun, just putting the finishing touches on.
Henry, I’m sorry you don’t like my paintings, but I understand that not everyone will.
Harriet, I’m glad to hear there are others out there too. : )
And that’s an excellent tip on why to paint in a series, Carol. I do that as well (planning several paintings at once) and it definitely helps!
Dan, I’m sorry you feel that way about your art. To me, it’s the “work” or going through the process of creating a work of art is what gives me complete satisfaction.