No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.
—Martha Graham
If that’s true, I’m glad I’m not an artist. Creative problem solvers get the joy of creativity without the angst.
October 2, 2017
I suspect all artists are different. Some can only create at the expense of angst and neurosis, others create quite happily with no psychological downside. Picasso seems to have been one of the latter.
I’m glad some find joy in the process.
I would say that I have to agree with Nick. We are all different.
Yes! DPLDT.
Most artists refuse to “to rest on their laurels”, and constantly strive to reach perfection, or at least get closer to it. I have artists of every stripe in my circle of family and friends, and I know what this does to them personally. It’s a human flaw, and does not bring them happiness!
Not our style, thank goodness!
Having had the benefit of 48 years of close association with an artist, her artist friends and teacher, I can assure you that this is true. No creative person is ever satisfied with her/output and it is very difficult for them to stop at some point with their output. After she had stopped painting and a few years before she died, she decided that none of her work kept at home was worth keeping and set them all on fire much to the dismay of her admirers.
That’s too bad!
I’m not an artist, but I’m well acquainted with the gap between my intuition of what might be and my sensory perception of what actually is. Thanks for the quotation, Jean, I’ve sent it on to an artist friend who I suspect will totally agree.
People are happier when they’re not perfectionists. As you know, no one has ever accused me of being one. 🙂
Well, I’m an artist – and on the whole I’m pleased with my artistry – and I don’t chew through masses of same, trying to get the perfect one. Although, I do tend to say – I’m not sure about “this…” last week one of my best friends said “it’s great…” after I had bemoaned the hanging structure; and had said “it’s alright to hang at home, but not in a show…”
There are some students at my art-school, who seem to buy an extraordinary amount of canvas – and make huge range of art. The other day one had prepared I think 20 (aprox 12″ sq) canvases. I wanted to ask – what will you do with them afterwards?
I start thinking on matters like would you buy 20 pairs of sox/shoes – particularly if you were an artist just setting out. It’s quite expensive as it is to buy up materials and tools in this arena. Let alone 20 canvases add paint, time, brushes, selling on etc…
I tend towards one of each, so that they a/unique b/if not sold, I only have to chose it to hang somewhere…even the project I have planned for next year, one of each even if they are on the same backing material. However, that project has no monetary value to this time…
and then the art student will have more difficulties – if she is honours as I am and choses painting to be a major – possibly only have to have 6 pieces to put forward…how does one chose – or she/he looking for that perfect one! Not sure as these 2 people are using this new fancy “pour” system
It’s amazing how much some art supplies cost. It’s too bad that monetary issues need to be considered.
I’m glad you aren’t the suffering artist type!