Late in his career, Richard Diebenkorn wrote out ten points he thought useful when approaching the art of painting. Two of our more contemporary painting instructors are William Wray and Alex Kanevsky. They will be coming together at 6:30pm on Friday, Oct 26, 2018—an evening between each of their workshops—to discuss these 10 “notes” he wrote to himself. As artists, we all approach our art making differently, in fact, each painting may have a different approach and motivation. So it will be a lively discussion to be sure. Here are the 10 points below so you can be ready to hear and see how Alex and William use these ideas in their approaches.
“Notes to myself on beginning a painting” by Richard Diebenkorn
The above list was found among the papers of the painter Richard Diebenkorn after his death in 1993. Spelling and capitalization are as in the original.
- Attempt what is not certain. Certainty may or may not come later. It may then be a valuable delusion.
- The pretty, initial position which falls short of completeness is not to be valued – except as a stimulus for further moves.
- Do search. Best in order to find other than what is searched for.
- Use and respond to the initial fresh qualities but consider them absolutely expendable.
- Don’t “discover” a subject – of any kind.
- Somehow don’t be bored—but if you must—use it in action. Use its destructive potential.
- Mistakes can’t be erased but they move you from your present position.
- Keep thinking about Pollyanna.
- Tolerate chaos.
- Be careful only in a perverse way.
