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Painting is neither decorative amusement, nor the plastic invention of felt reality; it must be every time: invention, discovery, revelation.
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I like this quote from Surrealist painter Max Ernst. It seems that a painting that follows this described route– invention, discovery, revelation— takes on the sense of timelessness that makes it art.
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The invention comes in the actual composition and the initial execution of the painting. Discovery comes in allowing the painting to build in itself, to follow directions that arise during the process. Revelation is recognizing something more in the painting than the subject itself suggests.
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There’s a lot more that could be said on all three of these elements but the shorthand version suits me at the moment. Take that for what it’s worth.
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I’ve never been particularly drawn to Ernst’s work, but I really smiled at the first painting you showed here. Maybe I should just laugh at myself; I see a farm scene, with corn, peas, and a steer. I’m purposely not looking up the title — I don’t want to lose my own little image!
What he has to say is spot on, though, and the way you’ve expanded it is true to my experience, as well. I suspect there does come a point where any truly creative endeavor takes on a life of its own, and begins to help determine where it will end up.
Yes, many times you start with an intention and along the way circumstances arise which require alteration and adjustment. In the end, you are left with something quite different than intended and, sometimes, much better than expected.