Blog

 A Loose Lifestyle

Students will often ask me “ how do I loosen up” ? . I hear this longing question often and many want a quick fix. I hear them say… I’m tired of being so tight and literal with my painting technique. What is the way to get past this fix?

 The easy answer would be to take a few workshops from a master who you feel has a “ loose” approach to painting and that you would like to integrate into your painting method. Often, I hear that the student reverts back into the habits of a rigid approach and wonders what will get them out of their dilemma . Maybe another class? Great for the ones teaching but frustrating for the student who is shelling out the money.

 Let me give you a social example that will set you on the right path. Imagine a dinner party and you don’t know anyone. Have you heard the expression “ that person is really wound up pretty tight!” . I’m sure you have. Often the person has internalized that they will be judged if they say something stupid or inappropriate. Maybe there is some social norm they have in their head that must be obeyed? Maybe they were taught to be reserved and to say little? Maybe they fear people and showing real emotions and revealing their true opinions is dangerous and open to judgement ( not to say that this does not happen ). It’s being stiff and over thinking a situation and thus robbing you of naturalness and spontaneity . Maybe past fears and disappointments are carry ons that they take wherever they go? What will save us from this conflict?

 The Way out is a “ Seeing” change. It is a Lifestyle change. I was taught to draw and paint from plaster casts. I was indoctrinated into an academic belief that if the drawing or painting was not perfect in terms of literal faithfulness to the object translated that it was no good and inferior. Granted, I appreciate the discipline to render accurately but that does not guarantee that I would capture the spirit and soul of whatever I painted. That comes from the heart. Once I stopped listening to “ that voice” that said “ I will only like your art unless it conforms to my standards” did I start to feel free to express deep emotions and feelings. It also meant that those who approved of my prior work would reject what I now produced. And that was okay. That is key.

 Once I was free of those mental restraints then my new paintings were a logical fruit of a renewed mind.

Look at this example. The traditional method said that I needed to start with a complete accurate drawing and outline. Where did that come from? To see differently I began to paint with masses of color and shapes and sculpt with my brush.

 Now painting is a fresh new adventure. This captive has been set free.