Richard Diebenkorn Writings
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Artist's writing
Date:
1955 Current owner:
Richard Diebenkorn Foundation Archives
Credit Line:
© Richard Diebenkorn Foundation RD number:
RDFA.136 Description
Transcription:
At present there are philosophical sanctions for just “being” in paint. The impact of this moment becomes all-important since we “are not” yesterday’s effort nor can we be in terms of tomorrow’s.
[line break]
I want painting to be difficult to do. The more obstacles, obstructions, problems, if they don’t overwhelm—the better. I would like to feel that I am involved at any stage of the painting with all its moments not just this “now” moment where a superficial grace is so available. With rare exceptions I respond most to painting that cuts across grain rather than following it. I think the artist here can get in touch with that grain rather than simply feel
[over]
its flow. And he really can’t cut right across it anyway.
[line break]
Each canvas in the continuum of the whole painting process has its beginning, its development (if one can label such disorder) and its rather complicated solution. [strikethrough] Can’t be [illegible] [/strikethrough] An immense amount of striving, anxiety, [strikethrough] about choices [/strikethrough] and doubting somehow, [strikethrough] contributes to the situation so that if one is lucky [/strikethrough] must be a part of this process.
At present there are philosophical sanctions for just “being” in paint. The impact of this moment becomes all-important since we “are not” yesterday’s effort nor can we be in terms of tomorrow’s.
[line break]
I want painting to be difficult to do. The more obstacles, obstructions, problems, if they don’t overwhelm—the better. I would like to feel that I am involved at any stage of the painting with all its moments not just this “now” moment where a superficial grace is so available. With rare exceptions I respond most to painting that cuts across grain rather than following it. I think the artist here can get in touch with that grain rather than simply feel
[over]
its flow. And he really can’t cut right across it anyway.
[line break]
Each canvas in the continuum of the whole painting process has its beginning, its development (if one can label such disorder) and its rather complicated solution. [strikethrough] Can’t be [illegible] [/strikethrough] An immense amount of striving, anxiety, [strikethrough] about choices [/strikethrough] and doubting somehow, [strikethrough] contributes to the situation so that if one is lucky [/strikethrough] must be a part of this process.