GETTING WORSE BEFORE GETTING BETTER
A peak inside my sketchbook, with ideas and sketches for a new series entitled “Human Interest”, which will be exhibited at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art along with the amazing work of Lena Rushing, a local, brilliant artist, who I am so excited to be exhibiting with. The exhibit is scheduled to begin in April 2022. © 20221 David Limrite
“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.”
Auguste Rodin / Artist
Getting Worse Before Getting Better
I don’t think I will ever get used to this. It is a situation that is a reality for me, and happens to almost every one of my paintings.
The situation is this. I get a painting well under way, leave it for a few days, and then take a fresh look at it. Invariably, and more often than not, there are additions, revisions and editing that I feel needs to happen to this painting.
So, I dive back in and “WHAM!”
It happens!
The painting begins to get worse and starts to look awful.
After all these years of making art, you’d think I would come to expect this, but it surprises, shocks and disappoints me every time.
But I know enough to stop, step back, take a breath and asses the situation. I call this “Brushes Down”.
I remind myself that this happens with practically every painting, and I survive. And so does the painting. I remember that this is part of the process for me. As I am sure it is with many of you. Its just another step in the creation and evolution of a painting.
Usually, the reason that “getting worse before getting better” happens is because I am trying to push a painting to be even better, more interesting and more meaningful. Which means that I am taking risks, trying something new, or making a major change or revision.
So… I decide to trust my current skills and decision making abilities, remind myself that a painting gets worse before it gets better, relax with the process and where I am now with the painting, and dive back in.
Its just another step in the creating process. And nothing to fear.
Best,
David