In the Moment

When I am working on any given painting, I need to stop occasionally, just quietly staring at the colour, the movement, the patterns and texture, letting myself wander over the canvas exploring all that has happened throughout the creative process. I might sit and let my mind just sink into the painting for even an hour or more. There are the technical aspects to consider. Does the painting work? But I am also listening. Is there more to do? Is the painting where it wants to be?  Have I managed to convey whatever needed to be said, or remembered? There is no road map in abstraction. There is only instinct and impulse and letting go and trust. I remember a quote I heard many years ago that said that a painting is never finished, the artist just decides when to stop. When it feels right, I stop. And then, I can't wait to begin again. 

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