As a student, I found inspiration in the works of Charles White, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Thomas Eakins, Leonardo da Vinci, Francisco Goya, and Vincent van Gogh, among others. Each of these artists imparted a unique lesson that continues to resonate with me. This process of reworking and refining parts—or even the entirety—of a piece often brings me back to the profound connection between Tanner and Eakins.
Henry Ossawa Tanner, one of America’s foremost African American artists, studied under Thomas Eakins, a master of both art and teaching. Legend has it that during one of Tanner’s classes, Eakins stopped to observe his painting. Pointing to a particular section, Eakins praised it as highly successful, a moment filled with encouragement and validation for the young Tanner. Yet, in an unexpected twist, Tanner left that praised section untouched for weeks, perhaps out of reverence or fear of ruining its quality.
When Eakins revisited the painting and saw that Tanner hadn’t touched the section, his response was sharp and definitive: “Make it better or make it worse. There is no middle ground.” This profound statement encapsulates the relentless pursuit of growth and the courage required to embrace both success and failure as steps toward mastery.
That philosophy often echoes in my mind when I approach an unfinished piece. It pushes me to confront the work anew, to refine, reimagine, or even dismantle and rebuild. The idea that art is a continual process of excavation and revelation resonates deeply—not just with painting but across creative disciplines.
This mindset also reminds me of John Coltrane’s explanation for the varying lengths of his performances of My Favorite Things. When asked why one rendition might stretch to thirty minutes while another lasted only ten, Coltrane simply said, “I play it until I get it all out.” His response connects beautifully to Tanner and Eakins’ shared ethos: art demands relentless honesty and effort until nothing remains unsaid or unresolved.
For me, this philosophy brings peace—a recognition that the journey of art lies in this constant cycle of striving, discovering, and letting go. It’s about finding clarity in the act of creation, no matter how long it takes to get there.
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