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9″ x 12″ oil on linen panel
I have a book in my studio titled “Inside The Painter’s Studio” by Joe Fig. It’s a series of interviews with NY area painters in which the author asks the same set of questions about artist’s studios and work habits and includes pictures of their studios.
I came across a great quote from Ryan McGinness, the other day, in the book. In response to a question about advice for young painters just starting out, McGinness says, “I would say to not worry about being an artist or trying to make art, just kind of make whatever you have to make, and then build a life around that. I think that was one of the biggest breakthroughs for me, just realizing … because I went through a period where I was just trying to make art and, consequently, I made things that were really imitative. There was no real model or precedent for what I liked to do but, when you realize you just have to do what you do and not worry about whether it fits the mold or a model of what art is, then you’re truly making innovative or breakthrough … or at the very least, honest work.”
I think that’s a very interesting statement and, for me, as someone who spends a lot of time inside my head, freeing.
Bill Sharp - paintings blog 
Bill, the work looks really great. Keep it up!
Best
Joe Fig
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How then does one learn not to worry? How do you go from the forced imitative to freedom to express
what you want? I would be trapped worrying that I was forcing myself to be myself.
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Hi Joe. Thanks and thanks for the book, I’ve enjoyed it.
Hi Dan. I think you’ve summed up my existential quandary nicely. I was born a worrier and I suffer over it but I keep telling myself to just keep painting and have faith that something honest will eventually come out.
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