Rick Corbett 27 Nov 2020

Great question! Personally for me, I keep all of my older works, especially the drawings I just stop working on because I don't like the direction they are going in. I save my work in a map drawer which I use for inspiration. I pull these older works out when I feel in a rut. I feel that just by looking at these older drawings, I feel inspired.

Mark Lembo 28 Nov 2020

Thanks. The work that was recycled had been kept for those reasons, but they had served their purpose. There is something refreshing about the 'editing.' On the bright side, a new series/collection was born out of the review. Generally, my work tends toward brighter. A grouping of much darker works started to emerge, so there are now maybe a dozen, or so, works that are now set aside. Often, I have to remind myself that there may be an audience for the works that are not my favorites. (That will be next week's discussion!)

Cheers, MAL

Anneke Hut 28 Nov 2020

Mark, what a good idea! Now you have inspired me to go through my rejected works. Trouble is I've got more rejected ones than approved ones, so it will take some time. :)

Mark Lembo 28 Nov 2020

We all know that feeling. For what it's worth, I made an A pile (absolute keepers), a B pile (maybe with some work) and a C pile (Why have I been saving this?) - and was fairly lenient in the judging. After a couple of passes, the C pile was about one-fourth of the material I had saved over the years. That said, if this was done annually, I would limit the C pile to 10%.

Cheers, MAL.

Brian Wolfgang Becker 27 Feb 2021

Absolutely! It is essential for every person that works and produces art work!

Lucia Stewart 29 days ago

I love looking back at my older work, even if some of the artwork make me cringe a bit, it's good to see the progress you make on your artist journey.

Mark A. Lembo 29 days ago

I agree, it is nice to see one's 'arc' and the progress that is being made. It is a bit of confidence builder to take the leap and cull out the bottom 10% - you challenge yourself to replace it with something better.

Not only that, but your inventory is easier to manage! ;- )

Have a great weekend,

Cheers, MAL

Vincent von Frese 29 days ago

Might keep every idea, thought, note and sketch Here’s why;

There always remains a minute chance that you and your work will become an international artistic success. Just like the digital artist on the news today who sold his one image for $60,000.00.

Paparazzi, book reviews, guest appearances and museum shows. Autograph sessions wherever you go and offers by hundreds of promoters and sponsors.

Therefore just as it often has been and is for the famous artists we know of anything including a smudge has become an object of value by collectors. This work gets divided into periods and is fodder for fans wanting to derive some hidden meanings discoverable inside this work. Much easier for a miniature artist since space is always a problem.

Mark A. Lembo 29 days ago

To quote the old Vince Gill song for the 'famous principle' to work "it'll take dying get it done" - and that's not part of my plan for a while!

I'll stick with the Scarcity Principle that results in a mismatch between the desired supply and demand equilibrium = $$$$.

Here's to a great and creative weekend!

Cheers, MAL

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