I have a mentor. While we have never come to a formal agreement of that, I've inferred the relationship as such. He's been kind and attentive to me as a master would be to a student. It took a while to develop that relationship, but as I have gotten to know Bill, (this is his real name, there are no innocent here) I've grown to understand that he likes it when someone pays attention and actually does what he says. He hasn't taken on a new student in years for that reason.
Bill has painted about 10 years longer than I have been alive, and has painted thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of watercolors and oils; from portraits, caricatures, sketches, pencil drawings, possibly a few cave paintings and petroglyphs. By virtue of his work ethic, combined with a constant quest to refine his talent, he has become a master painter - an artist of paint, a colorist, and by his own admission, a doctor of his own philosophy.
When I first met Bill, his advice to me was simple. I wanted to learn to paint and express myself on canvas. I had no experience with oils, and had never seen the process or understood how to begin. I knew I had an underlying talent and an ability to draw, but I wanted to learn to paint with oils, and I wanted to be good...no ... excellent at painting. So Bill said that if he was going to write a book about painting, it would contain only 4 pages. The first page would read, "Paint." Page 2 would be, "Paint again. Page 3: "Paint more." Page 4: "Keep painting." Thanks, Bill.
I was trying to get technical questions answered (I knew so little I didn't even know what questions to ask) about adding mediums, how to mix, thinning, etc. At first his answer frustrated me. I thought he was just a grouchy old guy that had tired of students long ago, and was trying to brush me off. (In a way, I think I was right) In retrospect, I think he was trying to see what I was made of. But he gave me the key: PAINT. PAINT MORE. This is the "key to the vault."
Bill told me to just squeeze the paint out of the tube and use it. Ha! He's a master of color and mixology, and has more in his brain than he could ever give me in a lifetime. But having spent time with him, getting to know him, and becoming his friend (I just wouldn't go away), he has let me see little snippets of his brain, and I have acquired years of technical information from watching and listening to his advice. He let me in because he saw I was serious (and I wouldn't go away). He always tells me, "You don't have to do it my way, but if you don't you'll probably get into trouble."
So the process of painting has become part work, part study, but mostly practice. I've learned that I improve the more I paint, and concentrate on improving a techniques, make lots of observations, study what I have done, and take my time to develop the skill necessary to get better; but nothing improves without focus, discipline, and execution. That is why I commit to doing something to improve for at least one hour each day.
I am writing this aboard a flight, and I was having a great conversation with the lady next to me about developing one's self as a person. It started out as a conversation about painting. She told me something I hear frequently: "I don't have any artistic ability." (sometimes I hear, " I can't even draw a stick person," or " I can't draw a straight line with a ruler.") Thank God stick people and straight lines are not all that is required for a good painting.
We talked about work ethic and focus, added to talent, and the determination to develop that talent is what makes one a great painter. Whether it is in a technical pursuit, an artistic pursuit, or in relationships, focus and work ethic plus execution is what will eventually develop excellence. Thank you, Michelle. Good conversation.
I'm writing and thinking about this because for the last few months I've painted a lot, usually daily, in the pursuit of excellence. I'm finding out also that life demands a balance to keep us from becoming obsessive and self-centered. Life really isn't just about us alone. It's about relationships, and developing one's self as a whole person. The reason I am able to take the time to develop myself as an artist is because I take time in other areas of my life too. Sure, sometimes I get obsessive and out of balance. Too much time away from home, or even in the studio, and not with Linda, will get me out of balance, and will strain the relationship. So taking time to develop one's self needs to be viewed on a holistic level - focusing on each area of one's life, one at a time. And focused attention will improve a relationship or a technique, and balance one's life.
Good relationships demand some type of balance, and create a healthy environment. And that type of environment will foster the balance it takes to concentrate and focus on becoming better, more proficient, and efficient in those areas of our lives that need development. And that creates freedom to be who and what we are created to be.
