To end up with a canvas that is no less beautiful than the empty canvas is to begin with.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of the journey of creation as equal to the beauty of the initial idea or potential.
Robert Motherwell suggests that the process of creating art is as valuable as the untouched canvas. This implies that the creative journey, filled with experimentation and risk, can lead to a fulfilling outcome that reflects the beauty and potential that existed at the start. The development of an artwork is integral to appreciating its final form, as both the beginning and the end possess intrinsic beauty.
In practice
During an art class, I shared this quote to inspire students about the value of their creative process.
A main part of the struggle of art has been to make an art that is direct, simple, humane, unconnected with powers that be in their essence... To the degree that it is connected with the bourgeoisie via the marketplace and so on is not necessarily an artist's problem.
It's not that the creative act and the critical act are simultaneous. It's more like you blurt something out and then analyze it.
Art is an experience, not an object.
Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it.
The artist is the creator of beautiful things. To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim. The critic is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things.
Without music, life would be a mistake.
Your first duty as a writer is to write to please yourself. And you have no duty towards anyone else.
Working in Hollywood does give one a certain expertise in the field of prostitution.
For me, electronic music is like cooking: it's a sensual organic activity where you can mix ingredients.
A jazz musician is not a jazz musician when he or she is eating dinner or when he or she is with his parents or spouse or neighbors. He's above all a human being . . . the true artform is being a human being.
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