jasper johns' wisdom

Jasper Johns would write in his sketch book as we all do. He wrote "commands" to himself in order to help himself "focus on the making."

Jasper Johns, target

Once he wrote," it may be that focusing on the making diminishes thinking about what one intends the work to mean, leaves the unconscious with room in which to operate, allows meaning to accrue without interference."

Those are the best words I have read in a long time.

Jasper Johns, 0-9 on aluminum

After the idea has been formed, as I did in the  twilight painting (below)  I need to let it go. The next step will come. Focus on the making, not the idea. I remember when I made all those pastels in my bed(during recovery) the interference was gone. I think it may have been my hyper-unaware drugged state that allowed me to visit the unknown. (heh) I still like that group of pastels. They tell me the direction I need to go. While my work is inspired by the landscape it longs to find a different space that is not about the landscape at all.

50x40 oil on wood, unfinished

 This is my latest struggle. I know the land mass should be much darker and the sky much grayer, but can't figure out how much. So I move incrementally towards the goal.I walk each night at twilight and just watch.



By the way, the Waverly Street Gallery has a wonderful show called 23 plus 23.  In it I have a nine of my tiny paintings tightly displayed together- salon style. Some are oil, some are pastel. I like the way they look all together. At the reception one attendee said, "They are like little bites of sweets. You can't just have one, you need to bite again and again. "  Come on by and have a little taste.