Saturation And stagnation

We use these words quite frequently and like synonyms. But knowing the difference and how it influences our artistic journey are points to ponder.

Though this is a forum of discussing landscape this topic will be covering whole gamut of creative stagnation. When one creative person stagnates and when he feels saturated? If one notices, stagnation is usually found out by viewers, as the artist in the beginning at least, misses it. And if he does notices , he will come out that very moment.

Saturation, by comparison, is easier for artist to come to know by himself. Saturation, as per my opinion, is lesser of the two problems. Any artist will feel saturation point in his career, some day or the other. And many times in his graph he will find himself hitting that mark and again going ahead. Basically it is a feeling where one feels 'bored' or 'overworked' while doing a similar body of work over a period of time. I for one, get this feeling when working on an exhibition on one subject, and am nearing the completion of the work on that theme. And way out is easy. Either you 'think' and find new ideas or just take a break. Usually the more creative minds will find 'ideating' a better approach. Normally 'taking a break' will lead to misleading yourself as 'rejuvinated' if you are going to start doing same stuff again.

And working over years on same type of work, without any feeling of saturation and without searching for new ways of expression, will finally lead to stagnation. Please dont conclude that saturation is precursor to stagnation. They are not always related. Stagnation is more subtle and a painter will live all his life without even finding it out that it has happened. And one is not always lucky to have people around to 'bluntly' say it. I say 'bluntly' because for a creative person, however gently or politely one tells him, 'stagnation' is the most dreadful thing and many a times artist's hurt ego will blantly deny. And on the other hand we also see a subtle pride sometimes, when artist claims himself that he feels saturated by certain theme or genre, as it indicates 'lot of hard work'!

Why artists stagnate?

It is a subject of introspection and meditation, if I may use the word.

One may be told the overall general scenario but the real roots are for each one to find out himself.

Lets go in generalites.

First, successful formula. Well, we all know this as we all sometime in our life fall prey to the lure of sale and fame. No need to say more.

Another point is confidence or lack of it. After years of 'practice' one gets used to what he is doing, like a craftsman. But then creativity calls for higher dedication and will to challnge. So this question of confidence has two edges. Confidence of doing what you have been doing all your life. You gain confidence of doing a 'good work' each time each day... any time of the day! And one goes on and on, without feeling saturated and without understanding 'stagnation'... churning out work after work and selling it! The confidence of doing each work 'successfully' is a curse for any artist.

And few who get a feeling, are lucky ones. But also unlucky in not having the confidence of searching new. Previously I have written about 'how to find something new each time'. Well, those without confidence will be better to work on that aspect.

Then another sub aspect of sales is market dynamics. Art has become market whether one likes it or not. And I myself was once told by a gallerist dealer that experimenting too much is 'risky' for the business. And they are looking for artists doing a similar kind of work over the years!!!

What does it say? Well, it says , maybe it pays to be stagnated at one style or theme for years???

And few more reasons which I will bundle together. Self satisfied , unintelligent and plain incapable. And such people are found in all walks of life . So they are bound to get stagnation anywhere in any field. But why deride them? In Moon and Six Pence, a novel on Gaugin by W Somerset Maughum, there is a beautiful line.

In any other field, if a man is mediocre he survives and earns enough for bread and butter. But in arts he will starve.

Now before anyone attacks this statement, lets understand it is said about artists in last century and currently only those who struggle to eke out a living by being a full time painter. Things have changed. One can earn well without complete reliance on selling paintings. But that has caused further wooling of eyes when one reaches stagnation. Earning money from other means sometimes nullifies the trembling inside and resultant search. And we are discussing on this forum, problems of creative artists and 'not so serious' ones may not indulge themselves with this fear of stagnation.

And many also feel that art for arts sake is the way. While sounding noble, its a way to delude about paucity of hard work and talent. It sounds very Van Gaughish, but its a highway to stagnation when the reality is different. A whiff of sales opportunity opens up all wools on the eyes. And art for arts sake is kept aside for paintings that will sell in market!

Anyway, lets not get into who cannot or dont wish to come out of it. We are discussing who 'wish to know and come out of stagnation.' And both are problems without a clear generalized solution. Knowing is somewhat general problem and overall view of your body of work will tell you the truth.... disregarding the sales figures! A plain question of what difference, what new, what progress, what search I have made in my painting over the years will be enough. A fair and ruthless answer, either by yourself or some noble 'blunt' friends will tell you. If one can digest the fact that he indeed is facing stagnation, then the question of coming out will answer itself. Mostly admission of your stagnation is first and major hurdle in coming out of it! And admitting that you are stagnated will tell you what you should not continue and that will create a need to search for new.

And believe me, we all will think that we are not stagnated and this problem is for others. Frankly, a rare breed who never stagnates, will be a light to others, will not even know this phenomenon, let alone asking these questions. They will work diligently all their life, without any saturation, or doubts... like a certain Nicholai Roerich painting Himalayas all his life alone in Manali! If you ever feared/ doubted or have been asked about stagnation, then you are not part of that 'blessed' ones.