“And that’s the way I play. I play for the benefit of the band.” — Baby Dodds, New Orleans drummer
This quote is printed in the front of a book of Lee Friedlander photos that I have on loan from the Rochester Public Library. And I love it. Not just because of the guy’s name but because I think Baby Dodds is addressing the nature of the creative act.
Take a simple example. You start a painting with an idea. You make a few marks and already you are committed to constructing an image that is worth looking at. The more interesting the better. Exciting would be nice. It is your duty to follow that up by only adding strokes that strengthen the picture. The original idea was the springboard but that is history. Your focus is now on how you can make this picture communicate more clearly. Step back for second and look at what you have. Fix the clunkers. It may go in a surprising direction. Wouldn’t that be nice? You are playing for the benefit of the band (painting).
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