Letting go, getting back, & letting go

Posted on Feb 26, 2012 in artwork | 12 comments

One of the first things a creative person is confronted with is “letting go”.  Making a work that is our very body and soul and then sending it off with the likelihood that you’ll never see it again is tough.

For me, the answer is that making art is automatically a sharing process.  Am I painting to accumulate nice things to look at?  No, of course not.  They are my body and soul, but they’re meant to been seen by others.  OK, so out the door they go.

This is a little story about letting go of a certain painting, “Bouquet”.

"Bouquet" 14 encaustic panels 10x10 ft.

I had long wanted to do a large scatter shot type installation.  In 2009 I did this piece for a solo show at Andrea Schwartz Gallery, San Francisco.  It was returned to me after the show.

 

I let it go again in 2010 for a show at NuArt Gallery, Santa Fe.  This time in was hung in two groupings.  One of the larger panels did sell.

 

 

Late in 2011 the remaining 13 panels were returned.  Under the scrutiny of time, my work can appear to improve or diminish (in my mind).  Fortunately, many of the panels really excited me.  For many days, I had fun combining and performing slight reworkings.  I ended up with three new pieces, two of which are now happily hanging in our home.

 

 

bouquet 09-11a 8x20in.

 

bouquet 09-11c 20x44in.

 

bouquet 09-11b 12x30in.

 

So, for the work to continue, it’s about creation and letting go.  A simple thing, but so crucial.

 

12 Comments

  1. Mary - February 27, 2012

    Hello Howard, I’m really enjoying your blog!!!
    I couldn’t agree more. People always ask me. How can you sell your work. Don’t you want to keep it all? The whole time I was reading your post, I was shaking my head in agreement. It is part of the deal to let the work go out into the world and have an adventure.

    I also LOVE how you are working in multiples to create a larger work. Often there is a relationship between pieces. Your approach is a great way to communicate that idea to the viewer.

    • Howard - February 27, 2012

      Thanks, Mary! I love working in multiples. So, not only is there dialogue between the piece and viewer, but also within the piece.

  2. Cheryl McClure - February 27, 2012

    Very successful transitions in the paintings, Howard. The same thing happens with me and my work and I can only aspire to be as successful with my own. Nice post.

    • Howard - February 27, 2012

      Thanks, Cheryl! The beauty of sharing is really one of inspiration.

  3. Gwendolyn Plunkett - February 27, 2012

    So true. The second part of your description of “letting go” I think is probably the more difficult challenge.

    • Howard - February 27, 2012

      Thanks, Gwendolyn! Could you tell me which is the “second part”? I’d be happy to elaborate.

  4. JOYCE M. POLISH - February 27, 2012

    Brilliant and poignant. I am sure every visual artist can relate.

  5. Joanne Mattera - February 27, 2012

    One of the things that distinguishes new artists from seasoned professionals is the ability to let our art go without feeling as if it has been wrenched from our gut. Of course we make sure we have good images of each work, but we let the work go because it’s how we earn a living. (It’s also smart to retain a list of who acquired the work and when.)

  6. Nancy Natale - February 27, 2012

    Howard, I once made a “piece” composed of about 15 interconnecting panels. I was very intrigued with the idea of having the panels touch sides and sort of meander over the wall with an image transforming as it progressed. Your idea is much better because the panels can be arranged many different ways and added to or subtracted from.

    I think the more work we make, the less attached we become to individual pieces, but some pieces are special because they signal a new direction or way of working. The final two combinations you came up with combine color and line in very interesting ways. I think having the work come and go from your studio also gave you an opportunity to “re-see” it – always so important.

    Thanks for posting!

    • Howard - February 27, 2012

      Thanks for the visit, Nancy. Yes, re-seeing is a good way to put it.

  7. Carmen - March 1, 2012

    Thanks Howard! I am loving your Blogs, keep them coming!
    From Schopenhauer:

    “C’est que tu donnes t’appartient, c’est que tu gardes pour toi est perdu a jamais” ~

    “Just that what you give is yours, whatever you keep for yourself is lost to the never and ever” ~

    I am interested in the piece I am working today… when is finished (Never easy to stop and say “Is finished” though) letting go is what allow me to start a new piece, the one I made before sometimes serves just as a reference… here you have, my humble opinion!

    (excuse my English… it is still precarious:)

    • Howard - March 2, 2012

      Thanks, Carmen. I love the quote, what a great reminder for our lives. I also agree that the current piece will serve as a jumping off point for the next one.

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