On Trying Too Hard

Subtle Shifts | 12 x 24 | Oil on Wood Panel | © Beth Cole

I listened to a very good podcast a few months ago and it has stuck in my head. It was an interview by Andrew Osenga on The Pivot - he talked with Ron Block, a musician with Allison Kraus’s band, also a composer and performer in his own right.

He talked about not trying too hard when you approach a performance, which for me is the canvas.

When you try too hard, it will not be your best. Feeling uptight and tense is not good for artistry.

I can relate very much from my days as a pianist when I was playing often. If the piece was difficult I had a tendency to really tighten up when it came to the hard parts and just pray I would get through them instead of letting the music flow and remembering I had practiced and I was ready. Ron Block says to prepare yourself mentally so you are free to let go and let it flow.

I feel it is so similar with painting. Rather than being anxious it’s almost like you should just close your eyes and visualize the outcome - prepare to make something beautiful - then let yourself paint.

I was thinking a lot about this when I painted these two sky paintings. It was a breath of fresh air. I hope it comes through.

Break Forth | Oil on Linen | 24 x 30 | © Beth Cole