So interesting and articulate… I enjoy your emails so much… this article connects with social media collective thinking, as discussed by Ashley Dorty Charles in her book Outraged, which is something I’m exploring in my work at the moment… thank you!
Just listened on my walk 🙌🏻 Completely agree I get so much from my own creative journey. And I love how this episode put emphasis on this for me, that there is great value in this for me. If the viewer/listener gets something from ‘the receipt’ then bonus!
Beautifully written. I relate to so much of what you have written, particularly in relation to Maryanne’s approach. It is so difficult to articulate how and why we do what we do, but you’ve done a great job Victoria.
Thank you I really will revisit this again and again. The creative process is about stepping into murky waters without prior knowledge. Or is it? I continue to paint because of those moments and it’s impossible to control or predict them.
Great essay! I relate a lot to the process - and the walking made me think of art critic Jerry Saltz who always posts photos of himself “walking/not talking” as he calls it.
Oct 25, 2023·edited Oct 25, 2023Liked by Dr Victoria Powell
Art - and increasingly sanity - for artist's sake. What a wonderful read which I was drawn to dip into ahead of the evening, but I know I need to revisit this and chew it over to absorb it fully. Why do we make? From instinct. Out of curiosity. As a way of processing. For nourishment... So many reasons and yes, outcome is only a potentially serendipitous fruit. Thank you!
Thanks for this wonderful feedback and your thoughts Michela! Curiosity, instinct, processing, nourishment... ALL of that, yes! I think this one has touched quite a few artists.
Lots of resonance in this article. Two thoughts come to me that are along similar lines. Maggie Hambling once said that she had a mentor that suggested she "take it all" to the studio and work it out there. The other thought is this: The Tibetan tradition of viewing a successful work of art doesn’t rely solely upon technical or aesthetic merit. A work has value by how much the artist changes through the process of making that work.
Such a deeply philosophical post yet grounded in the fascinating work of Bjerger. She says making art is not an intellectual act and yet I guess it is this grappling with tensions that is the intellectual element - one needs enough confidence to let go of planned outcomes to trust the art will take you somewhere. The connection the need for art in the classroom is incredibly important, even more so now with the rise of AI and globalisation. Exploring oneself (in nature) and one’s culture(s) as well as one’s world view in this way is life changing. Thanks for such a compelling post.
Thanks for your thoughts, Kate. You always summarise what I write so succinctly and beautifully! I agree with you about grappling with tensions being the intellectual element.
Research, exploration, reflection and experimentation are also the main aspects of the art making process for me. I sometimes describe my practice as steps on a never-ending journey with artworks as the occasional signpost.
I do feel as if I'm groping in the dark much of the time but, the times that things are going well, the artwork guides me and tells me what it needs.
I have never had the time to listen to your videos before but was so impressed by how valuable this month's was in boosting the confidence of women artists and showing the fascinating routes into their work.
Really relatable article, thank you. I like the idea that that viewer only sees the outcome but the artists knows the journey. I think this article puts into words what we know already as viewers. Guessing the journey of the artist is always interesting to me as a viewer. It’s really interesting to read about some of those processes.
I think it also demonstrates art is for anyone. The outcome is least important.
Thanks. Yes I agree. For me as a viewer understanding the journey of the artists is the most interesting thing about art. What motivates them, where it's coming from inside them. I can be attracted to some artworks visually but that's the cherry on top.
really important and insightful writing. As an artist who works in the psychological realm this really resonates. The ‘tussle’ of making a work is what engages and the outcome is a byproduct (for me). Sucking up the outer world as information gathering to channel through this strange and wonderful process of painting feels alchemical
I love the way you have phrased this Carrie! "Sucking up the outer world as information gathering to channel through this strange and wonderful process of painting feels alchemical"
Wow this was such a good time to read. Thanks for sharing this. You're very articulate and you describe each artwork with such poise and respect.
I tip my hat to you!
Thanks Alessandro!
So interesting and articulate… I enjoy your emails so much… this article connects with social media collective thinking, as discussed by Ashley Dorty Charles in her book Outraged, which is something I’m exploring in my work at the moment… thank you!
Thanks for your kind words, Bex! I'll have to get a copy of Outraged -- just looked it up --sounds right up my street
Just listened on my walk 🙌🏻 Completely agree I get so much from my own creative journey. And I love how this episode put emphasis on this for me, that there is great value in this for me. If the viewer/listener gets something from ‘the receipt’ then bonus!
YES Tommy! thanks for your message ❤️
Beautifully written. I relate to so much of what you have written, particularly in relation to Maryanne’s approach. It is so difficult to articulate how and why we do what we do, but you’ve done a great job Victoria.
Thanks Greta this is great to hear!
So grateful for the clarity in your writing Victoria!
THANK YOU for reading Amanda! 🙏
Thank you I really will revisit this again and again. The creative process is about stepping into murky waters without prior knowledge. Or is it? I continue to paint because of those moments and it’s impossible to control or predict them.
Murky waters until the sediment settles? Love this analogy Diana, thanks for reading x
Yes those moments of clarity are why we all continue. Thanks for replying.
Great essay! I relate a lot to the process - and the walking made me think of art critic Jerry Saltz who always posts photos of himself “walking/not talking” as he calls it.
Thanks! Good ol' Jerry!
Art - and increasingly sanity - for artist's sake. What a wonderful read which I was drawn to dip into ahead of the evening, but I know I need to revisit this and chew it over to absorb it fully. Why do we make? From instinct. Out of curiosity. As a way of processing. For nourishment... So many reasons and yes, outcome is only a potentially serendipitous fruit. Thank you!
Thanks for this wonderful feedback and your thoughts Michela! Curiosity, instinct, processing, nourishment... ALL of that, yes! I think this one has touched quite a few artists.
Lots of resonance in this article. Two thoughts come to me that are along similar lines. Maggie Hambling once said that she had a mentor that suggested she "take it all" to the studio and work it out there. The other thought is this: The Tibetan tradition of viewing a successful work of art doesn’t rely solely upon technical or aesthetic merit. A work has value by how much the artist changes through the process of making that work.
Both of these thoughts guide my practice.
I love this Tibetan tradition of viewing art. Nails it.
Such a deeply philosophical post yet grounded in the fascinating work of Bjerger. She says making art is not an intellectual act and yet I guess it is this grappling with tensions that is the intellectual element - one needs enough confidence to let go of planned outcomes to trust the art will take you somewhere. The connection the need for art in the classroom is incredibly important, even more so now with the rise of AI and globalisation. Exploring oneself (in nature) and one’s culture(s) as well as one’s world view in this way is life changing. Thanks for such a compelling post.
Thanks for your thoughts, Kate. You always summarise what I write so succinctly and beautifully! I agree with you about grappling with tensions being the intellectual element.
Research, exploration, reflection and experimentation are also the main aspects of the art making process for me. I sometimes describe my practice as steps on a never-ending journey with artworks as the occasional signpost.
I do feel as if I'm groping in the dark much of the time but, the times that things are going well, the artwork guides me and tells me what it needs.
Yes Caroline! A never-ending journey with artworks as the occasional signpost. That's such a great way of phrasing it. I wish I had written that!
I have never had the time to listen to your videos before but was so impressed by how valuable this month's was in boosting the confidence of women artists and showing the fascinating routes into their work.
Thanks Katherine, appreciate your message!
Really relatable article, thank you. I like the idea that that viewer only sees the outcome but the artists knows the journey. I think this article puts into words what we know already as viewers. Guessing the journey of the artist is always interesting to me as a viewer. It’s really interesting to read about some of those processes.
I think it also demonstrates art is for anyone. The outcome is least important.
Thanks. Yes I agree. For me as a viewer understanding the journey of the artists is the most interesting thing about art. What motivates them, where it's coming from inside them. I can be attracted to some artworks visually but that's the cherry on top.
"The painting moves me forward and I follow." Interestingly, several authors have said a similar thing in relation to their novels.
I feel like that about my non-fiction writing!
really important and insightful writing. As an artist who works in the psychological realm this really resonates. The ‘tussle’ of making a work is what engages and the outcome is a byproduct (for me). Sucking up the outer world as information gathering to channel through this strange and wonderful process of painting feels alchemical
sometimes.
I love the way you have phrased this Carrie! "Sucking up the outer world as information gathering to channel through this strange and wonderful process of painting feels alchemical"