A Good Painting Day is like a Good Handwriting Day

I used to share space in Building C Studios with another painter who is now one of my closest friends. We both took on the task of making the space respectful of our different rhythms really seriously. When we would be in between our typical long painting sessions and in need of rest, I would pop my head over to her side of the studio, “your place or mine?” which was pretty cute considering the partition was only a halfway done wall between us that did not go all the way up to the ceiling. Did I mention we worked in a warehouse? I had my studio couch, she had her comfortable garden chairs, and we both had our own boxes of assorted teas to get fancy with for break time. We would catch up on life, gather feedback and critique on what we were working on, and give each other support.

There ar a lot of fond memories in these breaks over the years we shared a studio. A flow state isn’t always guaranteed when making art, and I remember one time telling my friend how I wish it were as simple as finding the right pen, the kind that gives me fluid, elegant handwriting. What is the equivalent for painting? It’s not a brush, a playlist, or brand of paint. You just have to show up, stay dedicated, and trust. Painting is really really HARD. If I ever found a shortcut like the right pen, I don’t know if I would want it. So much of the satisfaction comes from how hard earned my career as an artist has been.

I want to stay curious instead of discouraged, but that is also a part of the process too.