Two from Sean Scully:
The power of a painting has to come from the inside out, not the outside in. It’s not just an image; it’s an image with a body, and that body has to contain its spirit. A painting, really, is made by its reason for being there. What’s behind it decides everything. It’s not just a question of attrractiveness or correctness; it can’t be fixed afterwards or by additions. How it starts will define how it ends. So it’s the weight of the intention that defines everything.
My paintings talk of relationships. How bodies come together. How they touch. How they separate. How they live together, in harmony and disharmony. The character of bodies changes constantly through my work. According to color. The opacity and transparency of how the surface is made. This gives it its character and its nature. Its edge defines its relationship to its neighbor and how it exists in context. My paintings want to tell stories that are an abstracted equivalent of how the world of human relationships is made and unmade. How it is possible to evolve as a human being, in this.
Great paintings, wonderful writing. Thanks so much for this, Deb. Stephanie
Thanks Steph. They are keepers, both of them.
All so true and what a photo! Thanks, Deborah! I was talking about intention with my students at the conference and how changing intentions mid-painting just makes an unsuccessful piece. I think I’m going to borrow this quote (with attribution to you) for a post about my conference workshops.
Nancy, go for it in your conference workshop post. So insightful. Both of these quotes spoke to me.
A few years ago I attended a small gathering at Phillips Collection where Scully spoke in advance of his show. It was a delight to meet and hear him speak, and the show was terrific.
Great photo.
Lucky you Maureen. I’ve been a long time fan of his work but never had the pleasure to hear him speak.
Scully is one of the greats!
Reblogged this on Painter's Progress and commented:
I love this image of Scully.
Thanks for the reblog!
Truly inspirational, excellent post.
Thanks for finding your way here. I took a look at your work–very evocative and memorable.
Thank you Deborah, that’s appreciated, kind regards.
Excellent nuggets indeed! And a terrific photo.
Thanks Tamar. Glad you connected with these two as well.
Delighted to discover these Scully Nuggets on your post. He, like Agnes Martin, is a master of the profound from the simple. Thank you.
I would add Philip Guston and Tom Nozkowski to that list of “profound but simple.” Thanks for stopping by.
Lovely Indigoes..
oh I love this