Lately I have been playing with drawing and painting, and it’s all I want to do now. I don’t know what I’m doing and I rather like it that way. I hope I don’t “learn” too much and can continue to have fun. I love what Dievenkorn said about painting; I think his words can be applied to nearly everything in life.

My first sketch

My first sketch

Notes to myself on beginning a painting – Richard Dievenkorn

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

My first painting