The way of an artist is an entirely different way. It is a way of surrender. He must surrender to his own mind

— Agnes Martin

As many artists, Agnes Martin underlined the necessity of having a strict schedule, she went to her studio at least three hours every morning, whether she felt like it or not, where she worked on her paintings or drawings in series.

She arranged meetings and short trips around her working time, saying that “interruptions are fatal … it is necessary to get completely involved… and then you get your inspiration… I think you have to work hard in order to have inspirations coming”.

For these reasons, she didn’t allow anyone to visit her studio while she’s working.

It’s through discipline and tremendous disappointment and failure that you arrive at what it is you must paint.

— Agnes Martin

In a great book called Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, the authors Orland & Bayles give an excellent example on how creativity works:

You might be a genius, but even so; nothing comes for free. It’s all about work, it’s all about practicing, practicing, practicing – for all of us.

And regarding my question yesterday, on how and why this abstract mindful art of her’s can make sense to us, Martin has a clear answer:

There’s nobody who couldn’t stand all afternoon in front of a waterfall. It’s a simple experience, you become lighter and lighter in weight. Anyone who can sit on a stone in a field awhile can see my painting.

–Agnes Martin

Anyone who can sit on a stone in a field awhile can see my painting – ha! A wonderful statement, isn’t it?!