A Blank Canvas or Document: Which is More Intimidating?

Above: a blank canvas… Intimidating?

Often times people mention that staring at a blank canvas before beginning to paint is the most difficult part of painting. Others have said the same when writing and referring to a blank document. I thought I’d explore which one is the more intimidating for myself (as one who faces both!).

In truth, I love the process of beginning a new painting. It’s full of possibilities. I have my routine: #1 make coffee, #2 place the canvas on a table (I paint by placing the canvas flat on a table, not on an easel), #3 select my paints, #4 drink coffee, #5 vaguely decide which colors will be applied to the canvas first, #6 drink coffee, #7 plop the paint onto the palette pad, grab a palette knife and #8 plop my first bit of paint onto the canvas and begin to discover how the painting will unfold. Sometimes, I skip step #5 (but never #1, #4 and #6).

Sometimes my process is even more random and without any forethought, I’ll plop down paint onto the canvas without any plan. Oddly, once paint has been applied to the canvas, the options and possibilities are lessened and this can be more intimidating than a blank canvas. Each stroke with the palette knife, each addition of another layer of paint, each time I stand back and take a look at the painting can, in a weird way, begin to limit its possibilities.  Paintings tend to take on a life of their own and once I’ve started, each paint stroke is only getting closer and closer to the finished painting.

Mistakes can be “edited” by intuitively adding another layer of paint. In fact, it’s not uncommon for me to continue layering till a painting is finished and this is an important part of my process. I’m comfortable with this freedom of expression, editing and manner in which I create a painting. The fact that abstract paintings lend themselves to being interpreted differently by each person is gratifying.

Writing is a different experience for me.  I see the writing process as more defined and precise. Expressive, but in a different mindset than my paintings. I am comfortable with mistakes while painting. Not so with writing. Each written word has a definite purpose in order to express an idea, fact or feeling. One unedited mistaken word(s) can undermine, wrongly expand upon or misdirect my original intent. Writing is more of a challenge than painting because of my self-inflicted pressure to get each word “right”. A beautifully written book, an inspiring poem, an accurate and detailed document is worthwhile, helpful and possibly life changing just as artwork can be. Speaking for myself, however, the effort to create such a meaningful and accurate document is less random, less intuitive and definitely more precise.  And difficult and intimating to someone like myself who often uses words such as “very” and “interesting” while speaking.

Can the written word be just as inspirational and impactful as a painting?  I believe so. I absolutely love to read and certain books have remained in my heart and daydreams long after finishing. I admire an author who can adeptly share a story through their writing. 

However, I’ll choose a blank canvas any day! It’s full of possibilities and options. I enjoy the “random-ness” of creating abstract paintings and therefore a blank white canvas doesn’t hold any power over me. It means I have open-ended fun waiting for me and a satisfying process that can be be shifted at my own choosing.  Less self-inflicted pressure and expectations on my part…and I can always use a little bit of that!