06/08/25

How I Create

Do without doing

Paint without painting

I am an undeclared Taoist at heart. When I am painting at my best, I first calm my mind with a short meditation, trying to focus on the great oneness of all. I layout my mixing palette, with white down the center and colors on the side. I have a palette for large mixes of paint next to it.

I clear all thoughts of what I will paint, what colors I will use, and what design I want. All musing on what might sell, what do people like, and even what I like or are comfortable with, are banished. My training and art knowledge are sent to the back of my mind. That information is part of me at this point and will emerge when I need it.

I chose a brush, pick up a color, and start to create. I know without a doubt that the painting is already there. I cannot see it, but I am confident it will reveal itself as I paint. Sometimes it emerges slowly. Sometimes it, or portions of it, will burst out in a flash, and I need to step back to absorb it all. As I work, I react to what has already shown up on the canvas. My next color and brush are chosen, and paint is applied, barely thinking about it. There is nothing for me to choose.  It is there, waiting. I work fast or slow, kind of in a pre-ordained rhythm. To me, it is almost trance-like, brushes moving by themselves, shapes and the design materializing in front of me. I sometimes wonder if any thoughts are even going through my head (my wife would say no). Sometimes it is hard to stop, but large paintings take time.  Each session goes through the same process, and the painting does not abandon me, but always, inevitably, shows back up. Finally, from the void, where all things exist, a new work of art is made visible.

Learn things well. Make them a part of you and then forget them. That is the path to true creativity.