the best control is no control

8x8 finished pastel Silver Divas

“One always has to combat being goal-oriented. Somehow, you’ve got to have a sense of play—a sense that there are things happening when you paint other than your wishes and dreams at the moment. I’ve learned not to constantly be self-critical. I don’t really care whether a painting comes out one way or another.” Of course, he cares that the elements are balanced, that the questions are asked and that the problems are resolved. But, he says, quoting a Zen koan, “the best control is no control.”
Wolf Kahn

This painting was done on location. It was an overcast day, therefore I had to find new guidance. Previously I have chosen tree groupings in which light would hit some trunks making a melody in the trees. Today there was no such light, but this silvery grouping excited me.

watercolor step one

watercolor step two