Aquarius Season, 2021
Friends,
I know I’ve been away for far too long. I won’t bore you with any excuses.
Onward,
Robert
Aquarius
Jan 20 - Feb 18
This season, our guidance comes from Joan Mitchell (Feb 12), Aquarius idol and AbEx pioneer.
For this 1986 interview in BOMB, magazine co-founder Betsy Sussler and artist Cora Cohen had to chase Mitchell down. They ended up piecing the feature together from “conversations recorded at birthday dinners, while watching TV, or before walking the dogs.”
Mitchell was “evasive” in Sussler’s eyes, and there are plenty of uncomfortable (and amusing) moments between all three. In one segment, while discussing process, Cohen mentions that she works on her art for about twelve hours a day—an improbable amount of time for even the most dedicated artists I know. Mitchell wasn’t buying it either.
JM It must look awful after pushing [the paint] around. Do you get a kind of non-color, New York quality? I mean by 12 hours of pushing paint around you’ll have smog over Los Angeles.
CC You do not.
JM How do you do it? This is oil paint. Right?
CC That’s what I do.
JM That’s what I thought. How do you do it?
CC I work a lot wet into wet. What’s the matter?
JM I’m having a good time.
CC Because you’re baiting me.
JM C’mon, how do you work wet into wet for 12 hours and keep a fresh look. You don’t. You can’t. What do you get, that weathered look?
CC Joan, you’re not supposed to censure in advance.
Reading along as Mitchell takes Cohen to task is a real treat, but, friends, I want to make sure we step back a bit. Before the conversation devolved into a terse back and forth, Mitchell made a cheeky but revealing confession, a statement that will guide the rest of this reading. She told Cohen,
It’s extremely hard to do, whatever I do. […] It’s hard to squeeze paint if I don’t feel like it. If I don’t feel what I’m doing there’s no point in it. Real. Felt is the only word you’d say. There has to be meaning to what you’re putting on.
I know you can relate, Aquarius, because this year, it’s been hard to squeeze the paint. The world’s been through so much that the aesthetic problems you normally love to tackle feel so small. Even if we could go out to bars with friends, you’d feel like an ignoramus complaining about writer’s block, an uninspired palette, figuration vs abstraction. The events of the wider world have always impacted you greatly and now you’re feeling overwhelmed.
If this sounds like a common thread through all the newsletters this year (or, well, back when they came out on a regular schedule), that’s no accident. We, as a society, have adapted in many ways—now innately familiar with video conferencing etiquette and the way sanitizer fumes can fill a room. But, Aquarius, you’re feeling a new kind of fatigue. A sense that you’re hanging on by the skin of your teeth. What the kids are now calling “Quarantine Burnout.”
It’s been rough. And you thought the first few weeks of 2021 would make it all better. It’s slow going I know, but, as the saying goes, valleys lead to hills and burnout inevitably leads to a period of intense personal growth.
The trick will be finding ways to stay motivated. One way is to manifest your wildest dreams, The Secret style. The art world will be playing catch up for the first half of the year, but that doesn’t mean doors won’t open up on the way. Don’t be afraid to reach out, to schedule a Zoom lunch with a curator or a socially-distant park hang with an artist you admire. Avoid the professional small talk. Go deep. Swap stories about your creative struggles and what you are doing to cope.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid of success. It’s easy to think that squeezing the paint should take a backseat to everything else that needs your attention and care these days. And a world in disarray doesn’t help. But stay dedicated and remember to celebrate your accomplishments. Throw a dance party for one when you sell an old piece or come to the end of a self-imposed residency. The truth is, a creative pursuit of any kind is a big part of your life’s purpose. Neglecting that is only going to make everything else worse.
Aquarius season
for those born under…
Pisces: You’ve spent the better half of the past year getting your life together—maybe settling into a new job or renovating a room in your home. Now, your inner child is dying to break free. The solution? Get back into the studio. Make a mess if you have to.
Aries: The sandbags are off your shoulders, Aries. For the first time in ages, everything feels in perfect alignment. Your worries about making the “right” career moves have faded away. Perfect time to bring your weirder works out of storage and into public view.
Taurus: Your days have been filled with never-ending tug-of-wars, and now’s the time to retreat inwards. Fill up sketchbooks, journals, and hard drives. Don’t edit yourself or worry about an end product. Something will come out of all this pain, and it’ll be a masterpiece.
Gemini: Intense mood swings have left you dissatisfied with all the work you’ve made. Instead of impulsively tossing it out, find a second set of eyes. Take a moment to center yourself. You’re in a much better place than you realize.
Cancer: You’re the peacemaker in your friend group, Cancer, looking at a problem from all sides and making sure everyone’s concerns are heard. Bring this same energy into the studio. A new process or unfinished piece will test your patience, but, once resolved, it’ll offer the sweetest reward.
Leo: You’re going deep this month, Leo. A Zoom check-in or socially-distant, casual coffee date could turn into a four-hour conversation. Where exactly does social practice go from here? What does a more equitable art world look like? Make sure to take notes when the lightning strikes.
Virgo: Someone you trust will give you a good kick in the keister, forcing you to finish your latest proposal or suite of sound works. Instead of feeling sore, embrace the pain—and be glad they’re looking out for you, rooting for your success.
Libra: A season of negotiation awaits. Perhaps you receive an enticing offer from an institution or a contract with a new hotshot dealer. Be sure to ask for what you want—what you deserve—and stand firm. Sadly, the art world isn’t known for its fairness.
Scorpio: Don’t be afraid to admit you were wrong—about a generational trend, a curatorial decision, or the color choice of a design. Humility is a sign of confidence. You’ll have plenty of chances to celebrate later on.
Sagittarius: Delete your Instagram. Put your phone in the freezer. Sit for a while in total silence. It’s a tense time for you overall, and outside influences won’t help you or your craft. The less distractions, the better.
Capricorn: Older bodies of work are haunting you. You’re not the kind to look back but, in this instance, it could lead to new conclusions. Remain open, receptive. You were onto something, Capricorn, even if you fiercely believe otherwise.