nintendogrrrl | Wednesday May 30, 2007 at 09:18 AM
How long did this take?
It looks so intricate and detailed.
2
slsperry | Wednesday May 30, 2007 at 09:57 AM
The subject of time spent arises often.
I paint quickly and as automatically as possible, believing this allows for the subconscious to come to the forefront of the creative process.
If the image starts to feel overworked or becomes too demanding, I leave the work alone and return to it later, often many times before I consider it complete. With that said, I am still in the habit of tweaking work constantly .
This particular work (Bad Ride) initially took about 10 hours, with as many as a dozen 1 to 2 hour follow ups. I still see modifications that could enrich the image. I have lucked up and turned out what I consider to be an interesting image in as little as 3 to 4 hours, but this is the exception.
To me the key is to work fluidly and without preconceptions, and create with an inner happiness and calm. Creating to me is not particularly cathartic, and creating from a point of frustration, melancholy, or anger is never an option. The Artistic process should be an enjoyable adventure.
I find my problem is when to actually STOP tweaking a piece. Sometimes I always wish I could go back to version nine, when I’m already on version twenty...lol
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slsperry | Wednesday May 30, 2007 at 10:23 AM
When to stop is certainly a challenging issue.
I find this helps:
“I am stopping for now, but I can return at any time”
This may help to minimize the feeling of finality.
Working in a virtual environment certaily helps, one has the luxury of resurrecting a previous version to replace a more recent version.
thanks - Steve
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lizzy | Thursday May 31, 2007 at 08:44 AM
I find your work so visually stimulating, I look forward to seeing more of your pictures, they are very inspiring.
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slsperry | Thursday May 31, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Inspiration is the key to life - we are all beings of immense potential, just waiting for the right ingredient to set us off on a life time of devoted focus.
