Artistic Courage-by-Association

"What we really gain from the artmaking of others is courage-by-association...

"The really critical decisions facing every artist -- like, say, knowing when to stop -- cannot be learned from viewing end results."

-- Art and Fear, p90.

The Painting Forum is a great place to encounter "courage-by-association", to find out what other people are struggling with, to get feedback on a work-in-progress that's helpfully critical not destructively critical.

Many people read only and never post. Some read for years and eventually post. Some jump straight in enthusiastically the first time they find the forum. There's an approach for every personality style. Well, almost, mean-spirited and down-right nasty commentators aren't welcome in what is the friendly, constructive environment; there are other forums that take that approach and you should go there if that's your style. You can register for the Painting Forum here...