What you need to know about the next piece is contained in the last piece. The place to learn about your materials is in the last use of your materials. The place to learn about your execution is in your execution. Put simply, your work is your guide: a complete, comprehensive, limitless reference book on your work.
David BaylesArt is a high calling - fears are coincidental. Coincidental, sneaky and disruptive, we might add, disguising themselves variously as laziness, resistance to deadlines, irritation with materials or surroundings, distraction over the achievements of others - indeed as anything that keeps you from giving your work your best shot. What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears, continue; those who don't, quit.
David BaylesSomething about making art has to do with overcoming things, giving us a clear opportunity for doing things in ways we have always known we should do them.
David BaylesEven talent is rarely distinguishable, over the long run, from perseverance and lots of hard work.
David BaylesWe have to construct communities of artists because they don't naturally exist in our culture.
David BaylesThe seed of your next artwork lies embedded in the imperfections of your current piece.
David BaylesArtmaking involves skills that can be learned. . . In large measure becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which makes your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive. . . Even talent is rarely distinguishable, over the long run, from perseverance and lots of hard work.
David Bayles