I find that writing about my painting subjects makes some
profound changes to my memory and final paintings. In the field, or in the
studio, or anywhere for that matter. Just thinking about those places or people
I care about, and writing as honestly as I can about them is a large part of
the painting conversation. Plus, it is a way of being involved with the process
without being in the studio at all. It is with me everywhere.
I know my writing is not terribly instructional, because I
generally do not instruct, and I don’t want to really do only that here. It is
more the stream of consciousness that I use when just writing in general.
When doing writing for painting, it is not necessary to be
good, just honest. Write down any thing that comes to mind. The goal is to get
it down, and organize it later if it needs it.
I am not going to publish my studio notes here, but will
throw in some public examples that make my point from time to time.
Today I will include a link to the Artist Trust note I had
to write for them because it is a good window into my inner conversation with
Ireland.
There is a reference to the “Irish Diary” which is a
collection of my daily stuff from the time before this in Ballycastle, and that was published on
my site daily at the time.
Writing about your subject gives your brain a different way
to regard it, and it affects your painting in deeper and more meaningful
ways.
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