Hating a painting
There are times when I have painted something and hate it so much I want to spit and curse it. I hide it in the cupboard only to be haunted by it until I have to go downstairs and rip it off the stretchers. I once got up 2 in the morning to do just that. It almost happened to this painting. Her neck is terrible, like a tree stump. Her nose is too long, one eye all squinted, huge cheekbones, and what is the bump on the chin? But there was something about it, something in the eyes and it kind of grew on me after a while.It seems I am not alone in wanting to throw out paintings or hating many of them. Cezanne "left most of his works unfinished and destroyed many others."
"the element of chance in his work and the frequent destruction of his paintings".An inteview with Francis Bacon
Howard Hodgkin stated in the Guardian, "I hate painting" and "hides his unfinished canvases "
So do any of you have a work that you once hated but grew to like? Or maybe another artist's work that you didn't like but now love?
Comments
I'm okay with my "bad" art -- even if I hate the piece I learn from it, so that's cool.
I'm more likely to hate my writing. The folder where I keep 'crap' poetry, stories, unfinished novels (and rambling 'blog entries!) is H-U-G-E!
I do know what you mean though...I have stuff that I remember hating at the time, and now when I come across one of them, I think, hey not too bad. Distance...it makes the heart grow ____. Fill in the blank.
First off, thanks for commenting on my blog! I am a member of Wetcanvas, but I haven't been around there much lately (past 4 years) I used to be a regular way back when it first started (under 800 members) but it just got so huge, it wasn't as much fun anymore. But I have been visiting again, so maybe I'll become a regular again. I still lurk around the art business forum quite a bit.
Thanks for your kind words about my art! This painting of yours is really cool! It reminds me of a Modigliani. Keep up the good work.
I also know what you mean about hating your work. I have a whole series of pencil drawings I did 15 years ago and made thousands of lithograph prints. Now I still have hundreds left, even though I've sold hundreds, and I am sick to death of them! I have threatened to burn them in a bonfire many, many times! The problem is they still sell very well, so it's hard to give up that income!!
Sorry about the super long comment, have a wonderful day!!
I have seen your blog and the website. Really nice work and I think this painting should take its place in your gallery too.
I have made many friends through mine already.
Don't you dare throw away that portrait, it has loads of character, if you want perfection, you might as well take the easy way out and take photos. Not half as much fun or satisfaction as painting something as you see it at the time.
I hate most of the things I've done, but another look a couple of months on, I think, maybe it's not so bad after all.
There was recently a terrific discussion on the WWAO email list about the frustration of a new artist with that disconnect between the image on the canvas and the image in the mind's eye. Your post (especially the inclusion of the links to the masters we turn to) really brings it home. Many of us go through that tortured love/hate with some of our works. We are not alone!
And a quick thank you for visiting my blog - the click of your name brought me here & has brightened my day!