Richard Diebenkorn Writings
Studio note
Current owner:
Richard Diebenkorn Foundation Archives
Credit Line:
© Richard Diebenkorn Foundation RD number:
RDFA.163 Description
Transcription:
[Image 1]
Notes to myself on beginning a painting
[line break]
Attempt what is not certain. Certainty [strikethrough] if it comes at all [/strikethrough] may or may not come [strikethrough] at [/strikethrough] later [strikethrough] stages [/strikethrough]. It may then be a valuable delusion.
[line break]
The pretty, initial position which falls short of completeness is not to be valued—except as a stimulus for further moves.
Do search. But in order to find other than what is searched for.
Use and respond to the initial fresh qualities but consider them
[Image 2]
absolutely expendable.
Don’t “discover” a subject—of any kind.
Somehow don’t be bored—but if you must be, use it in action. Use its distructive [sic] [strikethrough] content [/strikethrough] potential.
Mistakes can’t be erased but they move you from your present position.
Keep thinking about Polyanna [sic].
Tolerate chaos.
Be careful only in a perverse way.
[Image 1]
Notes to myself on beginning a painting
[line break]
Attempt what is not certain. Certainty [strikethrough] if it comes at all [/strikethrough] may or may not come [strikethrough] at [/strikethrough] later [strikethrough] stages [/strikethrough]. It may then be a valuable delusion.
[line break]
The pretty, initial position which falls short of completeness is not to be valued—except as a stimulus for further moves.
Do search. But in order to find other than what is searched for.
Use and respond to the initial fresh qualities but consider them
[Image 2]
absolutely expendable.
Don’t “discover” a subject—of any kind.
Somehow don’t be bored—but if you must be, use it in action. Use its distructive [sic] [strikethrough] content [/strikethrough] potential.
Mistakes can’t be erased but they move you from your present position.
Keep thinking about Polyanna [sic].
Tolerate chaos.
Be careful only in a perverse way.