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Working in Series

October 9th, 2015

Working in series is defined here as starting with an idea, a concept, or an image, and then working through the various possibilities from within a certain chosen framework to produce other works that pertain to and are consistent with that same seminal idea, concept, or image. In other words, repeatable works with variations, not duplicates, are produced as a result of this creative process as exploration and experimentation continue. For example, Claude Monet, in his chosen field of impressionism, though a derisive nomenclature for his works, limited himself to paint in a manner that explored the way light acts on objects in an atmospheric sense. He was not concerned with reproducing an exact likeness of what he saw. Monet limited himself to landscapes, predominately, painted in this impressionistic manner, and was one known for producing works in series. The various series that come to mind are his haystacks series and Monet's garden series, in which he painted several variations of atmospheric perspective works of the pond and garden. He worked on his garden pond paintings right up till the end of his life. His was a life long pursuit of beauty along this vein in life. It has been remarked that Claude Monet would not have painted had he not had his flower garden.

An interesting thing to note about working in series is that it can lead to other seminal emergent ideas, concepts, and images that lead to a totally different direction. It is an occupational hazard to have so many things going on in your head that you can become overwhelmed with the ideas that come to mind. It is wise to be aware of this hazard. Take time to evaluate and examine not only your works, but your life. "The unexamined life is not worth living' is a saying ascribed to Socrates. Write things down on paper, so you can sleep peacefully at night. Choose wisely which directions you choose to pursue, for as a man thinks in his heart so is he.