Perception of “Good”
Advice on the Creative Process for a student when struggling with perceptions of “good” and when relating her own work to her knowledge of art history.
Stop trying to exercise certain control (that is, constant comparison with the past and judgments of “good work” you recognize in famous works) and allow something to happen. It’s an odd mixture of, or a middle ground between directing and not directing, knowing and not knowing. You cannot understand that this is actually the process that will account for anything you already have done that is considered “good” until you watch yourself employ it. It amounts to not getting in the way with prejudices, premature sense making, fears, and desires. You have to trust and allow the inflow. Experiment, play, imagine and the outflow will strike you as novel…you must make an effort not to second guess or get your ego wrapped up in presuppositions such as “this isn’t as good as [insert any well known artist’s work]”. Be present and alert, intense about working…it will feel right. You can know the process while not knowing what will come next. Being comfortable with the unknown is part of the effort you must expend (this is emotionally difficult). Allow so-called failure to come and use the emotional state and the physical outcome to your advantage. One thing happens after another and that is all really. Make one thing happen, be present, aware of the relationships you find in your actions, shapes, representations, general life and the answer will come as to what to do next – if allowed to happen, the so called “next thing” will not occur as an answer (as if it were an end) but as an action. This process applies to the development of a piece in your imagination and/or perceptibly, physically.