Things keep crystallizing even after the painting is done. If not ..all you have is a "pretty picture" hanging on the wall. But, if the more you look,the more you see...then the painting works. If not....why spend the time & energy painting it in the first place ?
Because to some the act of painting is the point. I don't think all paintings lend themselves to the more you look the more you see. I think a painting can have different meanings at different times depending on the viewer's perspective. But that has nothing to do with the artist. Once a painting is done, all that can be learned for the artist is what worked and what failed and how that can benefit the next painting. Maybe you can learn something about yourself in the process, maybe you don't.
The important part is that the painting continues to function psychologically...even if the artsit is long dead. The artist isn't the only one to "crystallize" thoughts because of some image he created. But he does this during the act of painting AND after he is done....sometimes for years. Artists view their own work, and are also their own worst critics.(not to be confused withcritics who have never made art. they are viewers who happen to have a soapbox for their opinions.)
haha. i know a couple soapboxers. they are fun people to mess with. your analysis of different ideas makes me think a lot about different aspects of art i haven't considered before mooney. thanks for showing your opinions.
