Manuela Hübner
Excerpts from journal reflections*
We paint what moves us.
Playfulness and immediacy are key — any preliminary studies, any insistence on the subject or the materials, any adoption of trendy issues are like GPS leading you down the wrong road.
Must not explore lofty concepts, but the pregnant pauses between the Meh!s and the Bah!s and the occasional Yay!s along the path from one bout of back pain to the next ten-hour shift.
The urge to paint well, respectably or in an original fashion should be relieved in the same manner as a full morning bladder.
Only take up painting when in the right mood, and readied with an emotion, a feeling or a passion. Any other motivation is a waste of time.
It is incumbent to pay close attention to one's boredom so as to no longer waste more precious life time and energy on issues and concerns that have been oversold to us and are making us feel catatonic.
Painting in short, naturally flowing bursts injects life into the image. ‘Working on’ a painting rather than being inspired produces decor for mausoleums, not for living rooms.
We keep talking about art simple — enough has been said and written over the centuries to mummy-wrap a legion of curators and art historians.
No bleeding on the canvas. Or preaching. Create with the intention of turning black into a lighter shade of grey.
Ideally, the finished work extends an invitation to fellow humans — a beckoning over to a place where experiences can come together, exchange nods or shake hands.
(* Alterations may be possible. Annually. All rights reserved.)