Food for thought is where I share a quote I’ve come across for your reflection and discussion 
among the other artists in the mindful artist community.
If you’ve been following me for a while you may have gathered that I’m a keen student of the creative process. I’m always interested in other artists’ experience of their art practice and how it can help us better understand and navigate our own.
My loving husband gave me this book on Alice Neel for Christmas that I’ve just begun reading so I thought a quote from Alice Neel might be in order.
You should keep on painting no matter how difficult it is, because this is all part of experience, and the more experience you have, the better it is… unless it kills you, and then you know you have gone too far.
– Alice Neel
What about you? Do you feel you ought to keep making your work even though it is difficult?
Can you give an example of a “difficult” time in your work?
What does it mean to you to have gone too far?
Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Responses to “Food for Thought: Alice Neel”
Juhli
Yes, by any and all means keep working. Ask yourself why is this difficult? Keep the work close and the answer will reveal itself.
Difficult time for me? Now. why? At a crossroads, in transition and work gets difficult when in this process, change any big change. So it is about allowing the change to happen and not resisting it, not forcing it either.
I have never gone to far, just tried something new that did not work for me. It all serves the same path.
Christine
Hi Juhli, I can appreciate your comment to Michele. I’m going through a change in my work and I’m impatient to “get it”. Your comment was a reminder to allow it to happen naturally. Thank you for that. 🙂
Christine
Michele, you have your finger on the pulse of my day. The quote was a revelation and I will print and post beside my easel today, breathe, be grateful for the experience and paint on. Thank you.
admin
Nice. Glad this quote spoke to you.
Bill Sotomayor
You know when you have gone too far is that the work you were working on no longer fits your intention. I have seen in my work and know right away that I should have left it alone for another day and not continued. But the positive aspect of it is that you now must think of a way to incorporate it into what you were working on and it takes you in a new direction.
Carol Steinberg
Going too far to me would mean jeopardizing the very structure that allows for the creative expression in the first place. If one goes into financial ruin, for example, that would make it tough to buy paint. I’m actually struggling with this right now. I painted every day for 40 days in a row at the start of this year…it was great, but now I feel I’ve had to come back “to reality”–like preparing my tax info, taking care of my body, home, finances (income), etc. I think there’s a delicate balance that is often challenging for me to maintain.
Tracy
I agree. My problem used to be artistic flow, drive and urge. That is not the case anymore. Distractions and “real life” are the problems now. I want to paint and draw all the time. I can’t because I need to work a “real job” and have other things that I need to do as well. A good day: good light and sunny weather, peace and quiet, the supplies I need and I’m there! Going to far? No sure what that means, but I’ll know if I ever go there.
Thanks Michelle for your site and your Blog! You’re awesome!
admin
Hi Tracy! Thanks for your kind words. Enjoy whatever painting time you have. Henri Rousseau was also known as “Le Douanier” (The Customs Officer) because that was his day gig. He was still able to make some impressive paintings. Many artists work full time. Whatever time you can make for your art is fine.
admin
Hi Carol – thanks for sharing your thoughts here on “going to far”. I think a lot of artists are continually navigating that balance between artmaking and other aspects of life.