Richard Diebenkorn, 1922-1993, is regarded as one of the great post-war masters in his native United States, and has been an ongoing source of personal inspiration in my own work. Diebenkorn came to define the California school of Abstract Expressionism during the early 1950s. and went on to develop a unique form of Northern California realism, now referred to as the Bay Area Figurative School.
Sometime in his later career, Diebenkorn made the following list for himself – titled ‘Notes to myself on beginning a painting’.
Not so much rules as statements of artistic intention, Diebenkorn’s studio notes occupy a small section of wall in close proximity to my easel and have helped me repeatedly, each time I approach the enduring challenge of how to start making art.
Whether or not they are directly relevant to your own creative practice, these insights from a respected master may well prove a valuable source of inspiration to anyone on a journey of self realization through art:
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.
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 Pollyanna.
9. Tolerate chaos.
10. Be careful only in a perverse way.