What if you don’t like your picture (in art or in life)?

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You could ditch it, rip it up, scribble over it…you could adapt adapt adapt.

What if there’s a gulf between the astoundingly beautiful vision in your head and the muck that’s appearing on the canvas? This is The Gap.    

Creativity lives in The Gap.

If you keep going, you have two fundamental choices.

  1. Keep trying to make your picture (or life) resemble the perfection of your imaginings. This likely leads to a wrestling match with your Inner Critic, your art-esteem, your materials, your existing picture (or life).

    and/or you could…

  2. Adapt adapt adapt. Follow your brush or gesture or what’s already appeared. Surrender to the Art of Emergence. Trust the process and the flow of your picture (or life). This option is far easier said than done. It goes against the grain of all we’re taught in our outcome-driven, get-it-right-or-die dominant culture.

Neither of these choices is right or wrong. Much art-making (and life) is a dance between

 

1. trying to make it like your mind’s eye vision and

2. making the most of what you’re dished up.

It takes courage to create (and live). That’s for sure.

Genus Festiva Phase One I made a collage to process my rich experiences of Sydney Writers' Festival. I used only fragments of the program. I didn't like the picture that emerged. It looked like a Squidbird. It was not like the multicoloured vision in my head.

Genus Festiva Phase One
I make a collage of program fragments to process my rich experiences of Sydney Writers’ Festival. I don’t like the picture that emerges. It is not the multicoloured vision in my head. It looks like a Squidbird.

Genus Festiva Phase Two I painted a veneer of colour. I accidentally used iridescent paint. Not liking picture. Not liking picture.

Genus Festiva Phase Two
I paint a layer of colour. I accidentally use iridescent paint. I like the picture less.

Genus Festiva Phase Three More bird. Less squid.

Genus Festiva Phase Three
More bird. Less squid.

Genus Festiva Phase Four In which I realise there's a space where I can add plumage in the lovely colours of my initial vision

Genus Festiva Phase Four
I realise there’s a space to add plumage. I use the lovely colours of my initial vision

 

Genus Festiva Phase Five It's complete. I followed the Art of Emergence AND I revived the original vision.

Genus Festiva Phase Five
It’s complete.
I followed the Art of Emergence AND I revived the original vision.

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2 thoughts on “What if you don’t like your picture (in art or in life)?”

  1. Lovely unfolding demo. I loved this blog,its simplicity but important info My fave pic is 3 the transformation between bird and squid. You have a lovely sense of humor too Thanx.

    Like

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