Mixed Media – Susan Knaap

That tricky old creative journey

Onwards & Upwards, Mixed Media, 30 x 30 inches, stretched canvas

Sometimes I just wish I could get to where I want to be… that promised land where I feel like I’ve ‘arrived’ as an artist. It’s easy to be persuaded that it’s just a painting away, another teacher away, another technique away. But the truth is that the creative journey isn’t some straight forward ascent to a final destination. It’s a series of steps, missteps, circles, cycles, disasters and successes. I can leave the studio feeling like I’ve cracked it one day, only to go back in the next morning and think, ‘What the hell?’.

Do you call yourself an artist?

They’re a funny thing, labels. We’re so precious about what we call ourselves, aren’t we… You can be a cook, but not a chef until you’ve had all the professional training. You can write something, but not be a ‘writer’ until you’ve published something. And, you can paint but not be an ‘artist’ until you sell something, or someone in authority says you are, or you make a living out of it…

The gift of rewinding your art process

I tell you this much for free… Videoing yourself making a painting arms you with insight about your process like nothing else!

Don’t forget to play!

I have to admit to something here and now. Right through my art study, I pretty much just focused on producing ‘finished’ paintings. I don’t know how many times my poor tutors would implore me to put in some actual practice, but would I listen? Ah, no.
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That tricky old creative journey

Do you call yourself an artist?

The gift of rewinding your art process

Don’t forget to play!

Susan

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