C.S.Lewis tells us that if we are on the wrong track that the quickest and most successful way forward to is to go back to the beginning and start over. I think that this holds true for most artists who are seeking what has been called the 'Innocence of the Eye'. The idea is to see again as if for the first time without prejudice or conditioned thoughts and processes. It is these processes that we painters have to avoid if we are to see and depict something that is more truthful and less ordinary. It is also one of the most difficult objectives before us.

I know that my greatest temptation is to resort to known or previously successful pathways to construction of the paintings and depiction of the subjects or ideas. While this often leads to 'nice' or 'good' paintings they always seem to fall short of the original vision that I had before execution. They seem to get watered down the further I go into the painting as I seek not to render from the heart of the vision but from the pattern of the intellect.

I have found that the best way for me to avoid this is not to spend too much time (if any) in the laying out of the painting on the watercolor paper. I now try to go directly(as directly as possbile!) from the vision to painting process. I have found that a drawing with any detail tends to 'contain' and 'restrain' the vision. I therefore try to launch directly into the painting process on the blank paper with only the vision in my mind before me. This is a similar process to one that I have developed for the use of my consulting clients in the development of new creative approaches to solving probelms and developing new opportunties. The interesting thing to me is the way that I feel when I am in this process as opposed to the more traditional one. In the new process I feel free, open and energized. It is exiting and reminds me more of when I was finger painting in grade school. Maybe this is the best way to become innocent again!

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