Among many anecdotes ascribed to
Picasso, one is applicable to discussion we will have here. One rich
woman got her painting done from Picasso and as usual he charged a
big amount. The rich lady exclaimed, “ you painted this in 20
minutes!!!” Picasso is to have famously said, “ But my dear, it
took me 20 years to paint this in 20 minutes.”.
Now whether Picasso said this or any
other master; mind you it has to be a master artist to say such a
profound thing so simply; it is a truth that art is not a practice
aimed at a revolution but at evolution.
One of my dear non artist friend, was
skeptical about my evolution as an artist over the years. I didn't
defend myself that much, but it made me think. First what he meant by
evolution and what exactly artist is looking for in his/her
trajectory. Off course I came out of my sadness which arose from his
remark by; maybe falsely; deciding that he meant a revolution rather
than evolution. But leaving aside my personal ego clash here, we need
to think about what an artist aims? And I need to admit from personal
experience, and what all my friends always talk; it is a revolution
one is aiming or dreaming.
Each artist, especially not so
successful ones, always dream of that masterpiece or that new style
which he/she will suddenly come across; that it will dazzle the art
world at least,if not the whole world. At the least his circle? And
it also stems from the fact that he/she is so sure of the God given
talent he/she has, that there is no doubt that sooner or later the
revolution is bound to happen.
AWAKE O PAINTER.... of landscape in
particular too. There is no revolution happening. At least without
any outside help which is more of marketing strategy! If we are to
be honest and really wish to do justice to that talent we have in
varied quantities, then we have to go in for the idea of evolution.
Work, work regular and work with intelligence. I wont say a lot of
work, which is also delusional many times. But with intelligence. And
that aspect is more applicable to representational artist than
abstract painters. But ironically we find it other way round.
A representational artist has his/her
set of problems which are apart from the lack of gift; which is
common and a separate issue. A representational artist needs to work
on many things like not imitating and many others, which we have
discussed before. But he has to be on guard, against hard work
without intelligence more; especially when he is sure that, this is
just practice for bigger thing coming after that revolution! He feels
like a party worker, who may rule as a minister, once the regime
changes!
No. She needs to work, think,
introspect, criticize her work herself and work over mistakes and
errors. He/she needs to see long term and be realistic about today
and not assume that a change is bound to be there. More so when
material success is not in sight. Rather he/she needs to assume that
no sudden change will come and he/she will need to strive for
improving his/her art... all the while knowing the world NOT that
unfair as it seems!
All this psychological lecturing is not
much to do with 'act' of painting per se, but with what happens
inside the mind of a painter or any creative person and what may
lead to stagnation despite working positively. So trudge the path
with hope but leave aside delusions. Take care! God bless you the artist in you :-)
