Skip Lawrence: "Poetry or Craft"

I'd like to welcome Artist and Teacher Skip Lawrence to my blog!
Skip has shared a bit of his wisdom and perspective on making art in this Guest Post,"Poetry or Craft."
Follow Skip Lawrence on Facebook or check out his website, www.skiplawrence.com
His next Mentored Workshop at Bon Secours Center, Marriottsville, MD, runs
March 18-24, 2018. We have a few spots open. Start 2018 with a boost of inspiration!
​Email me, [email protected] for enrollment info and details.

William Lawrence, “Preakness at Pimlico” 30” x 40” oil on canvas, 2017

​In reference to making art, I recently heard David Hockney say that, “craftsmanship is a must.”
From the Renaissance to the Abstract Expressionists art students began their apprenticeship by learning the craft of their chosen media.

“We can teach craft, it’s the poetry you cannot teach.” Hockney goes on to say, 
“Now we teach poetry and forget craft.” 

There is enough truth in that statement to make one stop and think. 

A Chinese philosopher proclaimed art is a matter of,
“the Hand, the Eye, and the Heart”. 
Many artists new and experienced alike, seem to shift back and forth from working primarily with the hand, the eye and the heart, rarely giving equal measure to all three.

When I look at the latest paintings in watercolor society shows I am more than impressed with the polished technique exhibited: skills of the hand and the eye. 
What I most thirst for, though, is to see the reason behind all the technical skills:
more heart and soul. 

I know  how challenging this is as I fight for a balance of ideas, feeling and form in every painting I do.  I have come to realize that in making art, usually one aspect (the hand, or eye or heart) is primary and the other aspects might be  missing in the process or have minimal influence.   

I think this is well worth giving  some thought...ask yourself...
Which of these do you primarily work with; the hand, the eye or the heart?
Do you start a painting aware which is going to primarily direct the process?
Which are you most comfortable working from: the Hand, the Eye or the Heart?
Do you resist letting one or another take the lead?
When you are most satisfied with the results of your work, what is the ratio of hand/eye/heart?
If you get stuck or a piece seems to fail, does it rely too much on one aspect at the expense of the others?
What if you tried switching it up...?

I know I shift between as I am working, but I do try to find a balance. Or at least a workable combination of hand/eye/heart.
I  believe when all three aspects work in a sort of equanimity the resulting  artwork has a stronger presence.
You know when you see it: the piece of artwork engages intellectually, moves you emotionally and the craft impresses or intrigues you.
It just works.