Aphorism #79
Always let intuitive perception precede analysis.
Walking through a friend’s house one day, I spied, out of the corner of my eye, a small painting on a back wall. It immediately struck me as a very good picture, and my instant thought was, “What is that?”
A second later I realized that it was a painting of mine which I had given him years before.
This kind of positive affirmation is a thrill for an artist. It is how art should be seen. If I had known it was my picture before I saw it, I certainly would have fallen into my surly habit of picking it apart and finding fault.
Look at all art with fresh eyes. It is not easy, but it is essential.
Previous: Recognize good art, don’t identify it.