Happily Lost in the Process

On April 19, 2021 there was an article by Adam Grant in the New York Times titled: “There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing”. He writes, “Languishing is the neglected middle child of mental health. It’s the void between depression and flourishing”. Grant is writing about what many are feeling during this ongoing pandemic. What caught my attention was when he wrote this: “A concept called “flow” may be an antidote to languishing. Flow is that elusive state of absorption in a meaningful challenge or a momentary bond, where your sense of time, place and self melt away”. 

Yesterday on Instagram the art critic Jerry Saltz posted: “If you want to make a painting, start thinking like a painting”. To me this is the same idea as “flow”. 

Recently I’ve been making paintings that are entirely different from my usual realism ventures. These new paintings require almost zero effort to get into the “flow”. While there are steps along the way where I have to stop and make decisions, the majority of time is spent happily lost in the forest of the process.

While making these new paintings I have also completed a small realist painting. I wondered if these two types of paintings would talk to each other so I put the two newest ones in a row (see below). I was delighted by the conversation. I will continue to make both types of paintings. I have a feeling they have things to say to one another that will encourage both to grow and flourish.

Thank you for connecting and may you get a little lost in a great place. Best wishes, Susan

Forest Dream 30x23” mixed media, Susan McDonnell

Earthbound Alien 7x5” oil, Susan McDonnell