This is part 3 of a series of comments about a list of 100 points made by teacher Irwin Greenberg and given to his students a few years ago. He called it the Painter’s Primer and I had some issues with a few of his points, but agreed on many. We covered 1-10, here and 11-20, here. Now I will move on with 21-30 on today’s post.
21. Prizes are nice, but the real competition is with yesterday’s performance. Again, I don’t like thinking I compete with myself. Out of such ideas is perfectionism born. Use yesterday to spur me on, yes; always be open and learning new ideas, yes. There is breathing room for you when you look at it that way. Room to ponder and explore.
22. Give yourself room to fail and fight like hell to achieve. I agree, always allow yourself to make mistakes, although I still don’t like the word “fail”, because it is so negative. Many artists don’t need to add to the negativity they already struggle with. And always striving upward, again, is not as negative as “fight like hell to achieve”. Where’s the bliss in “fight like hell to achieve”?
23. Go to sleep thinking about what you’re going to do first thing tomorrow. Yes and no. If your mind is active and jumping around like mine is often when I go to sleep, a better idea is to jot down on a pad what you are going to do first thing tomorrow. Keep the pad handy – your mind will probably want to add to it before it finally settles down!
24. Analyze the work of great painters. Study how they emphasize and subordinate. Yes, even if it isn’t in your particular style. Can’t argue much with this one!
25. Find out the fewest material things you need to live. In today’s society, the temptations stack up all around you. I agree wholeheartedly.
26. Remember: Michelangelo was once a helpless baby. Great works are the result of heroic struggle. Bringing this into your life’s reality, yes, you will struggle, and it you don’t give up, you will indeed see yourself improving in many areas and see much growth, even as you see new challenges ahead.
27. There are no worthwhile tricks in art; find the answer. I am not really sure what his meaning is about worthwhile tricks… perhaps he is referring to “worthwhile shortcuts”? I think what he is trying to say is do the work to lay a good foundation, build your skills, and keep growing. It will not happen overnight or instantaneously. If some technique is not apparent to you, research and find the answer.
28. Throw yourself into each painting heart and soul. Don’t do anything halfway, or you will remain static. Remember, “no worthwhile shortcuts”!
29. Commit yourself to a life in art. If this is your calling, your dream, then you must experience the art around you!
30. No struggle, no progress. Simple and succinct. Couldn’t say it any better!
Bellesouth Studio 
Excellent post! Thank you for sharing.
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