Blog by artist Will Light Johnson. A comprehensive and current selection of Will's paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs. * For "MATURE" viewers only. To contact Will please leave a comment.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Recycled Art
Artist
Will Light Johnson
2010
These paintings are all made on recycled shopping bags.
Making these paintings on recycled bags was liberating. I didn't feel any pressure to "get them right." Even though I've always known that artists can't grow/evolve without mistakes; often times when I paint on expensive canvas I feel as if I must make a good painting - that there is no room for mistakes. With these "recycled" paintings I made loads of mistakes - I threw away lots of works that I felt weren't good enough. BUT, first I'd study them closely. Sometimes I'd try to fix them. This process has helped me to have a sort of "break through." I believe that too many artists are controlled by their materials. A "true Artist" can make art with anything. Who gives a shit if you spend a fortune on a gorgeous, perfectly stretched canvas and lather it with over-priced pigments. In the end, all that matters is that the Artists touch shows through & communicates something - otherwise it's nothing. Will Light Johnson July 11, 2010 4:30 PM
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ReplyDeleteMaking these paintings on recycled bags was liberating. I didn't feel any pressure to "get them right." Even though I've always known that artists can't grow/evolve without mistakes; often times when I paint on expensive canvas I feel as if I must make a good painting - that there is no room for mistakes. With these "recycled" paintings I made loads of mistakes - I threw away lots of works that I felt weren't good enough. BUT, first I'd study them closely. Sometimes I'd try to fix them. This process has helped me to have a sort of "break through." I believe that too many artists are controlled by their materials. A "true Artist" can make art with anything. Who gives a shit if you spend a fortune on a gorgeous, perfectly stretched canvas and lather it with over-priced pigments. In the end, all that matters is that the Artists touch shows through & communicates something - otherwise it's nothing. Will Light Johnson
ReplyDeleteJuly 11, 2010 4:30 PM