Following on from my previous blog post about the part confidence plays in your success as an artist, I found these words about Finding Your Personal Best in an edition of International Artist magazine. It won't surprise anyone to know that the advice I pass on here comes from Charles Reid (the article on him was the only reason I bought the Mag in the first place). However, although everyone had heard quite a bit lately about this artist from me, and from a few others on this site, I think the advice he offers is valuable and perceptive and so I make no apologies for mentioning his name again. When asked what he thinks makes a painting 'successful' Charles says that we should judge our paintings in terms of our 'personal best'. He points out that we should try to find even a small success in a painting, no matter what your level. He believes that to reach the next level it is important to look for success in your work. Likewise, being able to identify what did not work is the key to moving forward. He finishes by saying that the goal, in his opinion, should always be to solve a single problem in each painting. Later in the article he says that a successful artist is a perpetual student. He explains - belying the loose nature of his paintings, he works in a slow and meticulous manner. The looseness is an illusion he explains - each stroke counts. Fewer strokes with more thought is better. I am not happy with mistakes, but they are essential to retain a sense of freshness. His parting shot is that being an artist is difficult and it is imperative that one loves what they are doing. I don't know about anyone else, but this is the useful, down to earth advice that I have every read. It applies to everyone, whatever their level,expertise or success. It also answers much of my musing about confidence playing it's part in success as applying the principles outlined by Charles R, I think I can ensure that I do progress without damaging my confidence. The idea of trying to solve just one problem in a painting, always looking for success in a painting, knowing what hasn't worked and being a perpetual student, learning all the time - well, I can apply that to my painting in spades. As for leaving the mistakes in - I can definitely live with that one!