Review - Creativity - "Making Pictures"

Interpretation of D.H. Lawrence “Making Pictures”

            At age forty, D.H. Lawrence ponders his views of painting as he has become enthralled with the art.   Lawrence offers practical opinions about the nature of art, the creative act, and the artistic vision.

            Lawrence suggests that modern theories of art include criticisms, opinions, and fantastic negations (63).   He rejects these theories as they offer no insights to the artistic process, they offer no aid of correction, and most importantly, they do not explain what lies within the artist’s soul (63).  Lawrence recommends tossing the theories and to “go for it with instinct and intuition” (64). 

            Lawrence advises the picture comes first and then comes the efforts to make it grow (63).  He is clear that the pictures and their aspects come from within the artist’s inside.  He refers to painting and reaching the unconscious, but he identifies the pictures as visions that are alive and living within the artist’s consciousness (66).  He refers a second time to instruction and comments on its limited range of commentary.  It is Lawrence’s desire that instruction helps people realize their living visions and help them foster creative development.

            It is clear that Lawrence perceives acts of artistic visions are conducted with intent.   More specifically, “I believe one can only develop one’s visionary awareness be close contact with the vision itself” (65).  He furthers his ideas by suggesting artists should dwell on visions and by “knowing pictures” and have “purity of spirit” (65) to reveal the inward vision.   He is suggesting conscious learning, development of craft, and a healthy frame of mind.  All of these ideas suggest the development of visionary ideas is the result of work, focus, understanding, immersion, and perseverance.  

            Lawrence’s final thoughts revolve around art and his belief that a picture “lives with the life the artist puts into it” (64).  Without such life, there is no thrill, concentration, delight or “visual discovery” (64).  Final points on Lawrence include respecting that he openly questioned his previous criticisms as he became more enamored with painting and the creative process, that the creative act comes from the inside and needs conscious acts to bring it forth and give it form, and that visual discovery merits worth and enjoyment.

Works Cited

Lawrence, D.H. “Making Pictures.” The Creative Process: A Symposium . Ed. Brewster Ghislen.  Berkeley: University of California Press. 1985. 62-67. Print.