Simple isn’t easy.

In order to clear my head, I need to start with a white canvas.

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hofmann

We are moving this weekend. Next week, I’ll be living in a new home for the first time in 23 years. Over those years, I have managed to accumulate a solid mountain of things that I don’t use. I’m not big on knickknacks, and I like to keep most of the surfaces in my home at least somewhat uncluttered. Still, nothing says “I’ve got a lot of crap.“ like the act of filling box after box with things I haven’t used and hardly recognize as mine (but they are mine).

“Theo” – 18″ x 24″- oil on canvas- Gabriel Mark Lipper

This same phenomenon can happen in our studios too. The paintings pile up, and every time we go on vacation we come back with a new set of watercolors. (I rarely paint with watercolors these days, but I have four sets.)

All of this stuff takes up space. And believe it or not, it can take up space in our minds as well. Clutter is frenetic. All of that energy can be inspiring, but it can also become a weight around our necks.  It can shut us down.

Try this experiment on. Remove everything from your creative space that you are not going to use during the act of creating your next painting. I’m not talking about emptying the studio, but I am talking about clearing your creative corner of any physical distractions. Just you, your easel, the paints you will be using today. The brushes you will be using today. Perhaps a pencil or Poska pen, and, of course, your blank canvas. Start with nothing.

Let me know where you end up!

I can’t wait to read the stories of your Zen creations.

Is your space working for you?