In a recent recording of “Silver Paintbrush,” I had the privilege of engaging in an enlightening conversation with Rob Kars, a dear friend and fellow artist. Our discussion traversed not only our shared history but delved deeply into the themes of creativity and inspiration. Here are some highlights from our chat, woven into a narrative about the lifelong journey of staying creatively alive.
Embracing the Past and Present
Rob and I reminisced about our early days in art education in Cape Town, a pivotal chapter that set the stage for our artistic journeys. Despite the years that have passed, the foundational experiences we shared in our youth continue to resonate. Rob’s journey led him from the vibrant lands of South Africa to the deeply contrasting ambiance of Holland. This move was prompted by the political climate of the time, illustrating how external circumstances often shape an artist’s path.
The Challenge of Creative Block
A recurring theme we tackled was the notion of creative block. Today’s artists frequently discuss it, yet, to our younger selves, it wasn’t a known hurdle. Inspired by Picasso’s assertion, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working,” we explored the necessity of showing up, whether inspiration immediately follows or not. Stepping into your creative space is the first step to overcoming any artistic obstacle.
On Being a Painter
Both Rob and I identify as painters, among other artistic pursuits. Rob’s journey with his craft takes him into realms beyond traditional painting, dabbling with mixed media and sculpture when his creative flow requires a recharge. This exploration reenergizes his painting practice, illustrating the cyclical nature of creativity where one form feeds another.
Process and Free Spirit Painting
Artists often develop personal rituals and strategies to invigorate their creative spirits. Our conversation highlighted some of these unique processes. From the meditative approach of free spirit painting, where the best work seems to materialize from an empty mind, to the more structured routine of selecting a cohesive color palette before starting a piece, we found that both intuition and intention have a place in the artistic process.
Rob also shared his perspective on having faith in what the work itself communicates; a completed piece often signals its own completion. This kind of dialogue between artist and artwork is where true understanding of one’s medium comes into play.
Stealing Like an Artist
We touched on the contentious perspective of art as an echo chamber of influence. The often-quoted remark, “Good artists borrow, great artists steal,” captures the transformation of influence into personal expression. The genius lies in melding the inspiration from others into something uniquely yours, an embodiment of learning and innovation.
Closing Thoughts and Future Conversations
The conversation with Rob was both a journey down memory lane and an exploration of the many aspects that keep artists engaged with their work through the years. While our discussion barely scratched the surface of the issues at hand, it served as a beautiful reminder of the artist’s lifelong dedication to exploring and reinventing their craft.
Thank you, Rob, for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Here’s to more conversations and explorations into what keeps us creating. To our readers, stay inspired and keep creating because, as we both attest, art isn’t just a youthful adventure—it’s part of who we are.
I look forward to publishing Part Two of my conversation with Rob Kars, as we discuss our thoughts on copying master works, on self doubt and the inner critic, on drawing as a foundational skill, and on the contemporary issue of social media in an artist’s life.
Note: Keep an eye out for links to Rob’s work and further musings on our continued exploration of creative journeys in our upcoming episodes.
