It didn’t help that the sun was setting every day at barely 4pm, making every evening feel like an insomniac’s 3am as I paced and fretted, anticipating ruin, mockery, derision—or worse, the polite deflections of friends and colleagues who were embarrassed for me.
Love the suggestion of spending time at a museum. I imagine doing some edits among the works of art too. What a great metaphor for a work-in-progress, the initial sketch.
With Hopper's three preliminary drawings of Nighthawks, you've given us an invaluable tool, a searing image of his increasingly detailed iterations necessary to a final work of art. They're going above my desk. Thank you!
Truly a wonderful craft essay...as others have said, this is just what I needed for approaching my own writing today. In fact, I was procrastinating writing by reading this. :)
This piece has a lovely sort of arc -- from anxious to calm-- but we see how you get from one to the other, gradually, and how well earned it is through the art itself. Thanks! (Funny coincidence, but I wrote a post about visiting the Whitney too this week -- and mentioned your book as a resource.)
The comparison to early sketches and early writing drafts has haunted me all day. I will never look at those early attempts of words and story in quite the same way. I will keep the images of Hopper's sketches as a reminder that every work of art must begin with a framework, a sketch, the building blocks of potential. The drafts on my desk look so different now.
What brilliant observations about the overlaps / processes of visual art and writing, Lilly! Actually read the Sargent piece first and find both so uniquely helpful. Love being able to share in your process of discovery as you find your way to the heart of your questions in these images.
LOVE this and I agree... museums are a balm for creative blocks, anxieties, etc!
Love the suggestion of spending time at a museum. I imagine doing some edits among the works of art too. What a great metaphor for a work-in-progress, the initial sketch.
“The shape of the thing” in a sketch. This is great observation, Lilly. Thanks.
With Hopper's three preliminary drawings of Nighthawks, you've given us an invaluable tool, a searing image of his increasingly detailed iterations necessary to a final work of art. They're going above my desk. Thank you!
This is so helpful (and beautifully conveyed) - exactly what I needed to read today. Thanks for sharing this perspective!
Truly a wonderful craft essay...as others have said, this is just what I needed for approaching my own writing today. In fact, I was procrastinating writing by reading this. :)
Such a great example of understanding the creative process as it takes shape in one’s own work! Looking forward to your “final draft.”
This made me realize I really need to spend time in a museum. Thank you.
This piece has a lovely sort of arc -- from anxious to calm-- but we see how you get from one to the other, gradually, and how well earned it is through the art itself. Thanks! (Funny coincidence, but I wrote a post about visiting the Whitney too this week -- and mentioned your book as a resource.)
oh amazing, thank you!
This just helped my life, thank you.
This appeared in my inbox at the perfect moment. LOVED it, thank you for sharing!
I love this so much, Lilly! Thank you.
Thank you so much for this beautiful piece, Lilly. Just what I needed to hear in my process.
Words and images, two wellsprings that nourish each other. What a fascinating project this will be for writer and (speaking of nourishing each other).
I meant to say “writer and reader.” Excitement got the better of me.
The comparison to early sketches and early writing drafts has haunted me all day. I will never look at those early attempts of words and story in quite the same way. I will keep the images of Hopper's sketches as a reminder that every work of art must begin with a framework, a sketch, the building blocks of potential. The drafts on my desk look so different now.
Ah, thank you Kathryn!!
What brilliant observations about the overlaps / processes of visual art and writing, Lilly! Actually read the Sargent piece first and find both so uniquely helpful. Love being able to share in your process of discovery as you find your way to the heart of your questions in these images.
Thanks Eileen!!