The demands of "Untitled" work
Artists getting out of the way of their own work
Untitled 05, 2025, my latest painting. What does Untitled 05 even mean? My wife is always encouraging me to be more creative when naming my paintings. But I seldom agree. An untitled painting means I’m not going to make it easy for the viewer. What does it mean to you? If I name it, I’m telling you what to look for, or maybe even how to feel.
With this latest piece, still a WIP, I’ve tried to get out of my way. But since I’m the one who made it, is that even possible?
Out of the 500+ paintings created since 1990, this has happened only a handful of times. I’m so in the moment that the painting seems to make itself. I’m just the guy holding the brush. That’s not a mystical concept; it simply means showing up, working, and not overthinking it.
For the viewer, the interaction is the experience. The artist’s process isn’t the priority. Mark Rothko believed this. His works aren’t just squares of color that look nice above your sofa, if you can afford one. The experience with the painting is the painting, not the subject matter. The painting then becomes an emotional mirror for the viewer. The viewer’s state of mind might reflect back, if they allow it.
Have you had this experience?
