As you can see from the title of this blog post, I can't stop thinking about my visit to David Hockney's exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. I've come up with five lessons that can be learned from the artist, and I want to share them with you. I think these lessons are relevant not only for creative people.

Lesson number 1.

As much as I like neutral shades, and I would never call them boring, color in all its manifestations is right up my alley. In clothing, in interior design, and in nature. And Hockney supports me in this. It's as if freedom of color is also freedom of thought. Hockney boldly uses bright, almost childlike colors, and thanks to these colors, his paintings lift the mood and awaken a sense of joy. He shows that colors convey emotions more strongly than shapes.

Lesson: Sometimes, color is enough to express an idea

Lesson number 2.

I love everything new: new tools at work, new countries, new cities, and I'm not afraid of new technologies. At the Hockney exhibition, it became clear that he is not afraid to experiment; he actively uses iPads, digital brushes, and projectors. He is one of the few artists who has incorporated new technologies into his work. It seems that he is driven by an idea that I loved as a child, then discarded when I grew up, and now, thanks to my psychologist, am reintroducing into my life. The idea is simple and goes like this: “Oh! How interesting!”

Lesson: Never stop learning new things, no matter how old you are. New technologies can expand creative boundaries.

Lesson number 3.

One of the main principles of meditation for allowing the brain to rest is observing the everyday things that surround you every day, year after year, and that you feel you have seen and experienced before. Hockney is a master of observation. It seems as if he spends hours gazing at landscapes, light, and reflections. At times, it seems that his art is the art of “attentive observation.” This can be seen particularly clearly in his series of paintings, “The Arrival of Spring.”

Lesson: Looking does not mean seeing. Be attentive to the world, and your creativity will reach new heights. For me, this is especially important in photography. If you pause for a moment and look more closely at the moment, you can capture it even more beautifully.

Lesson number 4.

Perspective is a central theme in photography. Since painting and photography are interrelated, Hockney's works can also be viewed from this perspective. Hockney often breaks with linear perspective, breaking the rules. This disrupts our habitual perception and opens up space for reflection.

Lesson: I have often thought about this lesson since childhood: there is no single “correct” view of the world. Change your perspective and you will see something new!

Lesson number 5.

he Hockney exhibition is very extensive. In addition to talent and inspiration, the word “work” runs like a thread through the entire exhibition. Hockney paints every day. His huge series of works are the result, above all, of his work ethic. It seems that he does not wait for “muse” to strike, he just works.

The lesson: if you have found your talent or at least something you enjoy doing, don't wait for inspiration.

 - - Persistence and daily practice are more important than flashes of genius. 

If this text resonates with you—like the colors in a Hockney landscape or the light on glass at midday—I would be grateful for a sign in return.
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