Sunday, November 29, 2009

Painting with Pain

Is it true an artist creates better when there is a tragedy? Does an artist need that negative to create positive? I recently lost my father a couple of days before thanksgiving and I did not feel like creating anything. I did not have that creative spirit to paint in dark colors to release all that bullshit I feel. I guess some may do that but I have only seen it in the movies. I painted but it was so hard to focus. I am at peace with his death and understand that it is a natural event. It happens to all of us. We all have a different script but the same ending. Mortality, finality here on earth. As for what IS after we pass...that is to your interpretation of what you know and feel. I had no visions in my head to paint something so revealing and special. As it is I have a problem painting from my heart right now. I think I will offend or hurt family members. I guess I am being respectful to them and disrespectful to the arts and our integrity. There is no compromise when it comes to our creative process and subject matter. Our subject matter is in our hearts everyday. Our reasons for painting are all around u and we should be inspired as artists to change the world. I had that realization recently and committed to myself to express myself honestly and not be a hypocrite. I talk of creating and not producing for the masses. But in truth I guess painting safe is just as much as producing as it can get. Creating is being honest. Then maybe understanding the artist who creates from his or her heart while going to a tragedy makes sense to me now. They can paint the pain in a picture for all or maybe just for them to see. But we paint to change and to inspire. We paint for the world to be aware of the truth in how we see the world. Our world through an artists eyes is revealing, compelling and very profound. It can hurt, it can heal and it can incite. That is who we are. So I guess I just answered my original question. 

1 comment:

  1. It's never easy to lose a dear one Daniel; may God grant you the strength .
    Art is a medium through which we portray a perspective of life which is often bypassed or taken for granted. Through it subdued passions are brought alive and at other times as you mentioned it serves the purpose of a soothing balm.
    Take care and keep up the good work!

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