I was working in the Cascabel Press studio with a student this week. He was making photogravure prints of some of his favorite pictures. It was striking to me watching his reaction to seeing the pictures as they came off the press. He was moved. It was clear to me that he loved the photograph he had just hand-printed. I could see it in his face. He had seen the files on his computer and made some nice inkjet prints, so it was not love at first sight, but the act of making the print by hand, the way it looked, it all came around. This is one thing art can do best: make us feel good. Good about ourselves, good about our skills, make us want to run out and show it to someone in our life.
I have to confess that when it comes to my own work it is a bit like a one night stand, I am usually in love with the newest print I’ve made.
Sure I have old favorites, but what I find exciting is making something new that relates to the current time in my life, fresh from the heart. The other slightly ironic part is that often the pictures I feel sort of ambivalent about are the most collected; the ones I love the most, less so.
My point in all of this is my recommendation to give yourself permission to admire, love, and even swoon over the work you are making. It will not mean you are an egoist, or that you are not being honest with your self; it will allow you to go on and make the next picture. Making the next picture is everything, it is what we do as artists. Not making new work because we don’t like the last piece will lead to heart break, I promise.
If you are up for it use the link below to send me your current favorite picture. I will create an online album and share it with y'all over coffee next week.
Be well,
Ray
