The Act of Practice and Patience in Art

Marina Chisty in her studio

Over time I have learned that the act of making art requires patience. Nothing can or should be rushed unless it’s intentional. Often the artist has to wait. Wait for paint to dry, for a substance to set, for the opportune moment to act upon the work once more. 

As I find myself waiting for pigment to settle, for water to evaporate, I find myself on the precipice: waiting for the right moment to act, yielding to the behavior of materials, and allowing space to speak. I am still present and part of the progression of the work – the waiting is not passive. The waiting is active listening. It’s patience. 

During these moments I am considering my options: do I step in, or step back? I have learnt to respect the weight of these choices.

This approach to making art (which also impacts my daily life in other ways) has been deeply informed by Eastern philosophies. In this post I want to introduce some of the most impactful philosophies on my practice.

Zen – Less is More

Zen originated in China and later spread to Japan where it influenced art, culture, and philosophy. Zen principles promote a less is more approach – a reduction of unnecessary details. In art it emphasizes simplicity, asymmetry, and the beauty of imperfection.Kazuaki Tanahashi is a Japanese calligrapher and Zen artist. His paintings are created through single and deliberate strokes. His gestures leave no space for revision or hesitation. There is no second chance to edit or revise. The ink flows as it does. The artist doesn’t aim to master the material but to flow with it.

Wabi Sabi – Everything Exists in a State of Becoming

The expression Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese expression rooted in Zen Buddhist principles. It’s made up of two words “Wabi” which originally had the meaning of loneliness but later referred to as a subdued beauty. The second word “Sabi” means beauty that comes with age. Together the expression represents a way of seeing beauty and harmony in what may otherwise be perceived as imperfect, simple, natural and modest.

This expression has made me reflect upon my work and observe the state of its impermanence, to accept instability, and appreciate the aesthetic of beauty in transience, imperfection, and the unfinished. It has given me a more fluid way of understanding the process of making art.

Wabi-Sabi embraces the natural cycle of growth and decay, encouraging us to appreciate what is weathered or worn. A crack in a ceramic bowl, or the fading of once-vibrant colors are not flaws but reminders of time’s passage. Wabi-Sabi doesn’t acknowledge the idea of permanence and rejects its pursuit. It encourages us to recognize that everything exists in a state of becoming. Change is not a flaw to resist but a truth to embrace.

Kōng (空) – Emptiness as Active Presence

In the Chinese language "Kong" (空) is a concept that carry profound cultural significance with a nuanced philosophical underpinning. It often translates as “emptiness”, but it’s a type of emptiness. Instead of meaning lack, it signifies a state of potential. The emptiness it describes isn’t a void, it is a space where things can transform. It’s associated with Buddhist and Taoist concepts of emptiness. Artists often utilize empty space within a composition, known as negative space, to enhance the impact of other elements. It can offer subtlety and balance. It is also considered the state of inner stillness, focus, contemplation and being mindful. In Chinese Calligraphy, for example, large empty spaces are used to emphasize the marks and allow the ink to "breathe". It guides the viewers' focus to appreciate the strokes.

Wu Wei – Effortless Action

Wu Wei is a core concept in Taoism that represents effortless action. It references a state in which one acts in alignment with the Universe’s natural flow – known as the Dao (or The Way). It describes achieving a sense of harmony without forceful exertion. Instead of excessively striving it encourages one to align with the natural order and allow things to unfold. It encourages one to observe and respond to the natural flow of events, rather than attempting to force or control certain outcomes.

I embrace this concept in how I work in my artist studio. When I paint I allow myself to intervene as and when I deem the time to be right. To me, the act of making art is waiting for the right time to act and allowing myself to yield to the behavior of the materials.

Which philosophies do you follow in your everyday life or when making art? Please leave a comment below.