There are two polar opposites when it comes to how visual artists create their work. At one end you have those begin a work with absolutely no idea of what it will look like when finished. Abstract expressionist painters typically fall into this category, starting with a blank canvas and filling it in with gestural strokes until it feels done. It’s a process that relies on spontaneous artistic decision making and experimentation, emphasizing the process itself as the art.

At the other end, you have those who envision the completed work before starting, then proceeding to make it by methodically putting stuff together or taking stuff away until the final product matches the vision in their head. An example of this type would be a sculptor of large outdoor pieces, who would typically do several sketches and small-scale models before tackling the real thing. Satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment are gained by seeing what was just an idea fully realized in three dimensions.

I tend to fall into the latter category, and almost every project I do follows a pattern of envisioning planning and execution. I think it comes from my experience as a custom furniture maker, where pencil drawings and sketches are necessary to give the client a better idea of what to expect so the final product is as clear in their mind as my own. The more accurate the sketches, the easier it is to communicate the idea.

One of the mottos I work by came from a scuba diving course back in 1983 while still in University. During the classroom sessions where safety was stressed, the phrase “plan your dive and dive your plan” was drilled into us for the obvious reason that miscommunication and confusion underwater could be fatal. The clever and catchy phrase always comes up in my head at the beginning each project, reminding me to persevere and stick to my vision until it’s done.