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| Daffodil Bunch watercolor 18 x 10.5 |
The funny thing is, no matter how much experience I have under my belt, no matter how old I get, it's all just a repeat of what came before. I think certain types of processes don't allow for any variation. If you have to be part of that process, all you do is transform--or perhaps distort---yourself through that persistent repetition, and make that process part of your own personality.
Haruki Murakami
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
This could be a quote about painting....or about anything at all upon which we are trying desperately to improve. I think that we are sometimes so focused on quality that we try to make each work a masterpiece, and by that very action, the work becomes far too precious. On the other hand, just painting painting painting (quantity) eventually fuses painting into your being where transformation is then possible. Transforming ourselves. Pretty profound really. I'm not sure there have been many great painters who were amazing from the get-go. Or athletes. Or leaders. Or potato peelers. By virtue of the lengthy repetition of the action, we are able to get to the point of meditation during the process. We want each painting to be of our best effort. But, sometimes, by letting go of that notion, we allow the process itself some room for growth.
Over the years I have painted daffodils many many times....each is different, yet the same in so many ways. My hand is my hand. Sure, I like some better than others. But I have also found that others are preferred by others.
So be it. Paint and paint and paint, and then paint some more.
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