Psychology and a change in strategy

[canvasishome]

Hi all,

I always approach a painting as a rather serious endeavor, and the result is that I wind up not enjoying the whole process as much as I could.

Ask almost any 'successful' artist who has made it big and I think most will tell you that the journey is far more important than the destination. The process is where the enjoyment should be (at least this is what I've read them to say).

With that in mind, I've decided to approach my next series of work strictly with blowing off steam, stress, etc.

Do any of you paint as a stress relief system, as opposed to making a masterpiece with putting pressure on yourself?

Hope this makes sense and TIA for your insight.

-dk-

[turri]

I am under pressure in work (deadlines, resources, budget, quality etc.) and although I enjoy my work, I need some way to leave that all behind me at the evening. That is one reason I started painting about one month ago. Another reason is that I want to surprise my SO and give a painting as a birthday present :D

[jimb]

Yes to all of the above. (I think)
I started out years ago just out of curiosity. I was self-taught back then, I just painted for fun and to releive stress.
Today, I paint for fun, for challenge, for joy in the creative process, and for reasons I don't even pretend to understand. I do know this though...I think about it all the time and I HAVE to paint now or it really gets to me.
Heck, I don't really know why I paint, I just know I gotta do it.

[christinabella]

I don't HAVE to paint, and it is not where I think I shine; but when I start, hours disappear.

I am usually compelled to make something 3D. I still struggle to keep paintings in 2D. It is very frustrating at times, but I would not be any other way.

[JanetteBC]

Several years ago I really started trying to get over the use of drawing to overcome stress. I am much better at drawing when stress relief is a factor. I wanted to be able to put out good work when ever the ideas struck me. Artistic people started showing up in my life and I started to learn new techniques and have greatly improved over the past few years. I still have a long way to go to become close to my goal. My first love is fantasy type maybe even slighly abstract, my gift is portraits. Doing portraits didn't start until 1994 and it has trully helped me learn and develope. I got into doing pen work after working with a comic /tattoo artist. There will always be his influence in my pen work. Working third shift at a hospital gives way to much doodle time lol.