Food for Thought: David Hockney

David Hockney painting a car in 1995.

“Any artist will tell you he’s really only interested in the stuff he’s doing now. He will, always. It’s true, and it should be like that” 

 

– David Hockney

 

What about you? Are you only interested in the work you are currently involved with? Or do you tend to look back on older work? Do you ever feel the work you created in the past is stronger or better work than the work you are presently engaged in?

Do you cherish your older work in such a way that you  have a hard time selling it because of your attachment to it?

How does this impact your getting your work out into the world? Do you ever delay sending out work because the next body of work will be even better?

Let’s get the conversation started! Please leave your comments below.

 

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Food for Thought – Hurston

This month’s quote is from a writer. I learn so much from reading all kinds of artists – dancers, writers, actors, musicians – speak about their process. I don’t feel it’s that different in other mediums. 

“Perhaps, it is just as well to be rash and foolish for a while. If writers were too wise, perhaps no books would get written at all. It might be better to ask yourself ‘Why?’ afterward than before. Anyway, the force from somewhere in Space which commands you to write in the first place, gives you no choice. You take up the pen when you are told, and write what is commanded. There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you.”

Zora Neale Hurston from Dust Tracks on A Road

What about you? Is there anything in Zora’s words you can relate to? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Food for Thought: Gerhard Richter

Gerhard Richter Painting movie last week. Definitely would recommend it if you are interested in painting in general, and his work in particular. I think he is an interesting painter, definitely not one of my favorites, but I rarely miss an opportunity to watch a documentary on an artist.

I have a book of interviews with Richter and his own writings called The Daily Practice of Painting: Writings 1962 – 1993 from which I pulled this month’s quote:

“Pleasure is only one aspect [of painting]. Nothing can be done without it; but if that’s all there is to it, it merely bores and irritates the viewer. The objective side has to come in, through which painting offers something of universal interest: a statement, a new quality, an advance – something the other person can do something with.”

Your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?

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