Today I was working on a large painting. It was mostly white and had tiny black square shapes all over it. It reminded me of a snowy landscape. I was feeling kind of lost, almost as if I was wandering in this enormous white field with black stumps where trees once were. It just felt kind of lonely, open and desolate. I didn’t know what to paint or where to go exactly. I notice that sometimes in my life when I am not sure or clear, this same condition leaks into my art.
So after a good long thought, I just decided to ask questions instead of trying to come up with answers.
I carved the following questions into the painting:
If you could paint anything what would it look like?
What do you cherish?
When was the last time you dreamt that you were flying?
Are you in love?
What are you afraid of?
When was the last time you couldn’t sleep because you were so excited?
How many times did you laugh out loud today?
When was the last time you cried?
If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Are you awake?
I don’t exactly know why, but this seemed to help. I definitely don’t know all these answers, but sometimes knowing the right questions to ask can help set you back on the right track.
Walking in the right direction,
Nicholas
