Sitting, looking, reflecting, remembering, critiquing, cringing, smiling and discovering the previous work in my studio is a place to start.
Taking stock.
- What works? What doesn’t?
- Form and Content. Paint and idea.
- Which ideas still intrigue me? Which ideas have become stale?
- Am I still there, or have I moved on?
- Why did I leave that one unfinished?
- What have I gotten out of making all of these things?
- How did I feel while working on these?
- Where was I just “going through the motions”? Where was I “stretched”?
- Where was I following a formula? Where did I take risks?
- Where was I open to the unexpected? Where was I controlled? And, which do I now appreciate more?
The space of time – looking back – allows for a slightly more detached position where my perspective begins to shift and I can begin to look at these same things differently, in hopes that new ideas may sprout and grow.
