“It seems like a lot of artists, when they get older, they get simpler.” —Willem de Kooning, 1959

I like this quote, a). because it’s true and b). because that’s reflective in my own work. Though I’ve been working on abstracting my experience via the canvas for the past year, I find myself–the more I paint–the simpler my methods, the context, and the overall style becomes. It doesn’t become easier (heh, when is it ever easy?), there has to be a differentiation there. But I believe our work, at its best and at its most vibrant and interesting points in this rough profession, excell the most when we retain simplification.

Or maybe I’m way off base here…but there seems to always be an “easiness” to the work (or perhaps the better word is “effortlessness”) when we, in our search for perfection, hit it just right. I think we could all take to heart some quotes from Mr. de Kooning.

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