On painting with abandon
Monday, August 20, 2007 at 03:38PM 
The Christa Faut Gallery, in Cornelius, NC, is having an exhibit of new work by Douglas Houchens (age 92!) a renown local artist and long time art professor in Davidson College. His work is really amazing and the work in person is absolutely stunning.
There was an article in the local newspaper about this exhibit and a brief interview. I wanted to share something he says about the way he works, because I thought this is really what art should be all about:
Quote: (Taken from the Huntersville Herald, Aug 3rd)
"Here is how I paint, I try to stay loose and not be afraid to change or obliterate, whatever, at any time. I'm pushing toward an image that changes with the paint, that may evolve or regress. Oil paints and mineral spirits are so familiar that I seldom consciously consider how they will be used. Do anything -canvas on the floor, upside down, flow of spill the turpentine, blot, smear- anything. All the time I'm reacting to what is happening. The fluid paint keeps closing in (If I'm lucky) on an image that suddenly and finally seems right."
This way of working is so interesting to me. It looks like he's mastered the technique so much that he doesn't really needs to think about it, he is working with the left brain, not thinking too much on what's happening until the image seems and feels right. Intuition. Do not be afraid of the paint and the process, when the piece is finished you will know it.
It's clear that it is really important to master the techniques you are using so that you can open the channel of inspiration without worrying too much about how to work the paints, but this is something that comes with experience, so what I say is, if you're ruining the canvas, don't worry about it! you are mastering the technique, and getting used to set the inspiration loose. Years from now you will look back at your work and see how much you have learned, that's why it's important to keep working, so that you get to know the materials, the brushes, the papers, the glues... how they feel wet and dry, how the paint changes colors when mixed, etc. Doesn't it sound like fun?!
This can also be applied to other areas of our life and not only art-making. Because so what if we fail a few times while trying new things? So what if you need to try every flavor of ice cream before making your mind on which one you want, and what if you need to pick up every peach at the supermarket to really know which one you want? What if I took the time to read all the labels to see what I'm really eating? this may help me master life, wouldn't it? Do I even make sense?
What I mean is this, the canvas is white right now and I plan on messing it up, I will try to stay loose and not be afraid to change or obliterate, whatever, at any time. Only good things can come from it. Even if the end result is not perfect, I will get there soon. Maybe when I'm 92 if I'm lucky to live that long!
Reader Comments (2)
k
I think you meant to say he's working on the RIGHT side of he brain, though. Right side is the intuition, left side is the reasoning. I just happen to know that, because I did a whole big project about the two sides of the brain (and the corpus callosum that connects the two) :o)