My Reader brought the post in today and set it down on the table. “You’ve received a letter from your lovely Irish friend. You know…the one who lives in Ireland.” Slicing the envelope I quickly but gingerly pull out the sheaves of brightly coloured paper and begin reading heart-felt words written half-a-world away from this place I call home.
This is not about what the letter said…well, perhaps…but first I want you to know something about the drawing above. My Reader is happy I’m done with it, and wants you to know why. This is why: I’ve painted this image four times trying to “get it right”. The expectation of perfection, as usual for me, is keenly sought. Fear of failure to perform, to put on paper what I see in my mind to be captured with colourful imagery, first and foremost. Always. Of course.
The second and third attempts? Back to the drawing table.
This final attempt I’ve decided is as good as it is going to get. I’m done. My Reader is tired. I’m tired. Time to move on.
“You are boring me. Get to the point if you have one,” says Reader.
“If you know something well, you can always paint it,
but people would be better off buying chicken.”
___GRANDMA MOSES
It is good this fear of failing…keeps the focus where it should be…out of the hen house.
“Are you done?” Reader asks.
Yes. Finally.
I’m done.
I’ll be in touch…
Jots from a Small Apt. 
Incredible painting…and with your writing you bring out something very interesting: it seems the more an artist falls for their art and creativity, the greater the artist struggles with setting it free (and therefore setting free themselves as well).
From this painting, I get this contradictory feeling about how that something so incredible could also be the source of frustration with the artist as they strive endlessly for the impossible perfect piece of art.
Beautiful R., simply beautiful.
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Hey R! I think we artists meet this often in our creativity and have a hard time to wrestle with it. The desire for perfection can sometimes be a strength within us but can just as often be our downfall where we are not ready to release our work to an audience. I really find your water colour wonderful. Best regards, J.
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I think the fear your are talking about is something all artists fight on and off. And yes, that desire for perfection can sometimes be an encouragement and just as often become an inhibition. This water colour painting is gorgeous.
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Good point taken, Jots. I don’t think there is a one of us who has not faced the “perfection bug”. One day I realized that what I was trying to create was outside myself and something I was chasing. What was appearing on the paper was truly from me and that made all the difference. I was denying growth by staying stuck on the perfect creation. I really like your artwork.
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I’m constantly editing my work.This post helped me understand that painters do the same thing, just not with words!
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Quote: “Say who you are without uttering a word.” (anon) could be used here…artistic-art-editor-at-large…so to speak. Or not. Sometimes creativity (given ambient atmospheric weather temperatures) is a crap shoot. Put grin here…
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This Reader made art once. Then art made the Reader.Though am still confused as to what the Artist fears most. Fear of being misunderstood or fear of being understood. Finished, well that’s just a point where one leaps to the next stone in the stream. Painting specifically, Art in general, stems from creativity and all that it encompasses: all is eternal. The window, looking out, the landscape, the path, the horizon is not something one just paints – one lives in it. I guess its finished when one ‘feels’ they made it home……and she paints shadows as well.
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seeing your post is like awaiting the first blossoms of springtime!
your wit burns through as always, even through the title to your work! congrats on the focus and discipline to paint it once, twice, and more! i admire you for sticking with it – that’s not one of my strengths…
that header image is FANTASTIC! the vertical lines in the background are well done, and those figs – and the quote – wow, all great tonics to this road-weary nomad!
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L. Enjoying my/your journey through the South with you. The art panel you created with family has to be one of the best memories ever! You continue to be a wonderment!!!! R.
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I lost sight of my fears in that beautiful view.
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Makes me smile when you drop in…just to catch your breath.
Next time stay one minute longer….
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I’d be delighted to have your talent!
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Delightful! I especially love the Grandma Moses remark!
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A Cincinnati reader looked at the painting to first see the countryside from a balcony. But oh .. there’s more, the fact that the view is from 5-6 steps back reveals a more impressive view. So the Cincinnati reader says “More roses for not for this reader, but for that Reider.”
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I agree with Dale: you have a wonderful, free style. I can’t see I’ve got one either, though people say I have. It’s hard when you’re on the inside! And I think the composition of your drawing is brilliant.
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and imperfection, it seems, is in the eye of the artist.
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Lovely. Grandma Moses is brutally frank. Since I cannot paint, I will need to go buy some chicken. You, of course, need not worry about chicken.
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It must sometimes be difficult, being an artist … I can’t even begin to imagine.
But I think I can understand that there are times when you are frustrated because you can’t get your vision down onto the painting medium.
Can you define what you’re seeking ? – probably not, or there would be no frustration …
Never mind: c’est ton boulot. And I think you bear it wonderfully.
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This Reader agrees with the above two readers. I would love to see more of your exquisite so-you-say imperfections. Everyone is lovely and so original.
I must say this one looked very difficult to accomplish with depth, slopes, shadows and tonal effects. Kudos for sticking with it, and I hope you know how much we enjoy your creations.
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Wish I could like a comment… 😉
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🙂
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Well THIS reader loves Ms Rieder’s painting. Feels it is far from boring and is convinced the Irish friend will feel the same.
Just sayin’ as well, that I feel you DO have a most wonderful style of your own…
D xoxo
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Well, this reader isn’t bored, and I think your painting is wonderful. 🙂
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