“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work. It will perjure, fabricate, falsify; deduce, bully, cajole. Resistance is protean. It will assume any form, if that’s what it takes to deceive you. It will reason with you like a lawyer or jam a nine-millimeter in your face like a stickup man. Resistance has no conscience. It will pledge anything to get a deal, then double-cross you as soon as your back is turned. If you take Resistance at its word, you deserve everything you get. Resistance is always lying and always full of shit.”
-The War of Art, Steven Pressfield
Week one of fighting one of my biggest demons is in the books (see previous post if this confuses you).
I am writing to celebrate.
I think.
As a long-distance runner, I know that day two is harder than day one, so I’m under no illusions about what Resistance has in store for me next week. Despite that, I want you to know I’ve won for the first time in a decade against Resistance. I painted every day of this week (not counting weekends).
This is my report:
- 3 out of 6 are keepers. I’d say that’s a good success rate. Is this beginner’s luck? Time will tell.
- Painting 8×10 is smaller than I’m used to and it is challenging me. I need some different brushes. Which brings me to my next point.
- Hog hair brushes has always been my choice since college, but I think I need to buy some small synthetics for details. Details are challenging me in this small format.
- Keeping a limited palette is my friend. My success went up when I cut my options down to a few colors.
Are you ready to see the new work?
{Winter Milk, 8×10 oil on canvas}
{Verte, 36×48 oil on canvas}
{Old Friend, 8×10 oil on canvas}
Maya Angelou famously said that “you can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
I have heard it and doubted it, but this week I am starting to trust that Maya knew what she was talking about. I was worried about daily painting and finding subjects every day. I used to think I had to be inspired before I entered the studio. Would I spend hours wringing my hands over bad ideas and never actually start? The small painting format took some emotional ties and fear out. If it was bad, I could start again tomorrow, right? No big deal. Much to my surprise, every day I found a decent idea. Today, on the last work day of the week, an idea came for a large painting over my mantle, one of the things I consider to be most important in my design. I’m excited and feel like my creative channel is opening instead of being used up.
Thanks Maya.
The last notes I took in my planner simply said this:
“Why did it take me so long?”
I’m ready week 2. Resistance, you’ve officially met your match.
For more information on daily painting, grab a copy of this book.
Carmella says
So exciting!!