Monday 5 November 2012

Notes to myself on beginning a painting - R Diebenkorn

Page 115, The Art of Richard Diebenkorn , Whitney Museum of American Art, University of California Press

Notes to Myself on Beginning a Painting

1. Attempt what is not certain. Certainty may or may not come later. It may then be a valuable delusion.
2. The pretty , initial position which falls short of completeness is not to be valued- except as a stimulus for further moves.
3 Do search. But in order to find other than what is searched for.
4. Use and respond to the initial fresh qualities but consider them absolutely expendable
5 Don't 'discover' a subject - of any kind
6 Somehow don't be bored- but if you must, use it in action. Use its destructive potential
7 Mistakes can't be erased but they move you from your present position
8 Keep thinking about Polyanna
9 Tolerate Chaos
10 Be careful only in a perverse way