At the library Saturday I was browsing in two books on Hans Hofmann. I was struck by how Hofmann taught his students theory and principles and rules - methods of composition and color choice - yet in his own studio, aimed to paint completely spontaneously.
What I have in mind for myself, is to do studies that are careful explorations of ideas and design principles, and to practice drawing realistically - yet do the "real work" quite spontaneously. This feels promising to me - the best of both ways of work.
It's a little like the interplay between order and spontaneity. I can usually make art spontaneously best in a studio that has a certain level of order to it. That way, when I reach out my hand for a tool, it's there. When my intuition calls for a certain material, I can find it right away.
I'm hoping that some structured studies will, like the studio order, provide a strong pro-creative environment for the spontaneous artmaking.
Meanwhile, I still feel such a hum of excitement about the art in progress. It makes me feel richer than anything else could possibly offer. There's nothing like "bowl hum!"
11:56:27 PM 
|
