I want to connect my work with who I am as a person
Robert Szot
One of the things I most love about social media, is the opportunity to connect with and learn from other artists and creatives.
Particularly those who have been painting for decades longer than I have, yet are still willing to present themselves as vulnerable, evolving individuals. Those who recognize that, no matter where we are in our journey as an artist, we all share the same challenges, joys and moments of self doubt.
It feels good to know that even though art-making make be a solitary endeavour, we aren’t alone.
For two weeks in March, my co-host Barbara Reade and I were fortunate to have been able to chat with American abstract artist Robert Szot on our weekly Instagram show ‘No Brush Required’ (catch us every Tuesday at 11 am PT from my Instagram channel).
I’ve embedded the replays below, but wanted to share a few of my favourite quotes and take-aways from the conversations.
Have you watched or listened? I’d love to know what YOUR favourite bits were. Drop your comment at the bottom of the post to continue the conversation!
On gratitude…
“Being an artist is an opportunity that’s been given to me. I don’t want to squander the opportunity. It’s almost an embarrassment of riches to be able to be in the studio on a Tuesday afternoon.”
On authenticity and resonating with your viewers…
“Avoid gimmickry and doing things just for show. It takes the honesty out of the work. This takes people out of your work. And it’s easily recognizable.”
On motivation and external influences…
“I feel no conscious influence from anything, not even the environment. Inspiration and drive comes from the actual doing of the work. Being in the studio and making those decisions, finding the composition and finding out who I am as a person.”
On the pressure of deadlines…
“Pressure is a privilege. It’s nice that somebody wants something from you… the secret is to always be working. If it’s quiet, and nobody’s calling, you’re working. If you have a ton of shit to do, you’re working.”
On knowing when a painting is finished…
“It’s a personal, instinctive thing. The painting says exactly what I’m after. I did what I wanted to do with this particular work and it feels okay to move on to the next thing.”
On ‘finding your voice’…
“You are an individual. And that’s your power. You have a voice and it’s an important voice. You have to define it, refine it and make sure it’s exactly what you want to put out in the world. You can find your voice at any age…”
On changes in your work…
“My life is evolving so my work is evolving too.”