Friedrich Zettl Fine Arts

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Detail of Schizo Flash, an abstract painting with green and black brush forms and red accents across white space, introducing an exploration of painterly reduction.

About Letting Go

Leaving the Comfort Zone

Most of us know how comfortable habits can become—and how difficult they are to change. I feel something similar in painting. My recent Magic Sea pictures had become opulent again. It was time for a kind of painterly fast. I wanted to leave things out, but also to see whether doing so might take me somewhere unfamiliar.

The Flow

Many years ago, I attended management seminars, and I particularly remember Vera F. Birkenbihl speaking about moving beyond familiar habits towards a new goal. The diagram below records how I remember that idea. I use “flow” here for the unsettled space between a comfort zone and a new direction, rather than as a formal definition of the psychological term. An artist endlessly repeating a successful formula would have good reason to leave that comfort zone.

Three-level diagram labelled comfort zone, flow and new goal

Setting a new goal means accepting a period in which the old rules no longer suffice. For me, this resembles an exploratory phase: questioning familiar solutions, trying alternatives and looking more critically at my own habits.

Leaving the Comfort Zone, a gestural ink painting with black, green and ochre marks and fine red lines across open white space, testing a move away from painterly opulence.
Leaving the Comfort Zone — gestural ink painting.
Detail of Leaving the Comfort Zone, showing black diagonal ink strokes, pale green textures and branching red lines as familiar effects are reconsidered.

The works here explore different aspects of that process. They bring me back to a persistent difficulty: deciding what to leave out.

Schizo Flash, an expressive abstract painting with green, black and ochre brush forms separated by white space, from an exploration of reduction and unfamiliar directions.
Schizo Flash — an experiment in painterly reduction.

Simply reducing the number of marks is not enough. I may also need to let go of an attractive effect, an easy flourish or something merely pleasing. As less remains, each mark has more work to do.

Reduced abstract painting with sparse black, yellow, red and pale blue gestures on a tan ground, considering how much each remaining mark can carry.
Reduced abstract painting — fewer marks, each with more work to do.

Another challenge is to suggest space and atmosphere with very few means, without relying on conventional perspective. In Morning Fog at the Pond, the open ground matters as much as the scattered marks.

Morning Fog at the Pond, ink and pastel artwork with scattered fine coloured strokes and pale washes on grey, suggesting atmosphere through a largely open ground.
Morning Fog at the Pond — ink and pastels.

How much can I leave out and still remain present in the picture?

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Wabi-Sabi, Japanese Paper & the Beauty of Empty Space · The Flow of Qi in Chinese Ink Painting · The Magic Sea

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46 responses to “About Letting Go”

  1. Mike U. avatar
    Mike U.

    Very nourishing food for thought, Friedrich. I think all of us have experienced this, and it can have an acute effect on creativity. Reaching the flow state you describe takes effort, and leaving our comfort zone can be terrifying. I find myself bogged down in the morass of my comfort zone far too often and yearn for a clean break, some sort of epiphany that will take me to that higher level of creativity. Surrendering to creative fatigue is the easy way out, but it renders us paralyzed and we’ll never reach the next level. Your paintings here are sublime (as always) and fascinating, not to mention incredibly inspiring. Thanks for always shining your unique insight onto my world, my friend. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you for your kind words, as always, my friend! Yes, leaving the comfort zone can be difficult because it also offers us support. Immersing yourself in new worlds initially requires effort and strength, but from my experience we get important new impulses in this way. For children it is the most natural thing in the world 🙂 Unfortunately I am not a child anymore 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sue Grey-Smith avatar
    Sue Grey-Smith

    Thank you for an inspiring post. It’s got me thinking!

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thanks very much! I’m glad I was able to provide food for thought. However, when it’s that hot, thinking might not be a good activity 🙂

      Reply
  3. swabby429 avatar
    swabby429

    Embellishment is so easy and tempting.

    Reply
  4. J M Negi avatar
    J M Negi

    Fabulous. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much 😊 Have a great weekend 🙏

      Reply
  5. Ashley avatar
    Ashley

    By letting go, leaving things out your paintings here are even more wonderfully “abstract” to my eye. Actually, I find them visually provoking, especially the last two! The “coloured” background gives them an amazing boost! (Klee? Kandinsky? ???) A really wonderful post to refresh the eyes.🙋‍♂️

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much Ashley, I am delighted that you find the work refreshing. Yes, they should definitely be provocative, like many of my works. But they shouldn’t disturb, in the best case scenario they should draw the viewer out of his reserve and help to broaden perspectives. Have a nice weekend!

      Reply
  6. Mike and Kellye Hefner avatar
    Mike and Kellye Hefner

    Outstanding, Fred! Sometimes we need to realize that less is more. Love the paintings.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you so much! Yes, less can be a lot more, because with it we narrow the circle of what occupies us and pay more attention to what remains. I’m really happy that you like my work. Warm greetings from Vienna!

      Reply
  7. Cindy Georgakas avatar
    Cindy Georgakas

    I just love this Fredrick and the fact that you still play with your art the way you do when you have perfected a style that is so amazing! Kudos to you. Life is about leaving the comfort zone for sure and you are a great example. Same with writing poetry perhaps.. less is more. I love your work always and message so needed for everyone💞 happy Saturday Flow Day❣️

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you, Cindy, for your kind and encouraging words! Yes, for a professional like you, it certainly comes naturally to reflect on and do the omission. It has something to do with mind hygiene I think. Or simply, like clearing out our storage room 🙂 There will soon be enough clutter anyway 🙂 ❣️ Happy Flow Day too!

      Reply
      1. Cindy Georgakas avatar
        Cindy Georgakas

        You’re so welcome Fredrick. Always a pleasure… Yes.. cleaning minds and house seems to be an ongoing job around here. Lots’ of spiderwebs to boot…. and we flow on.. thanks my friend❣️

      2. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
        Zettl Fine Arts

        oh, those spider webs 🙂 Yes, we flow on my friend❣️

      3. Cindy Georgakas avatar
        Cindy Georgakas

        🤣🥹😘 Cheers to that!😘🥂🥂

  8. Don White avatar
    Don White

    I always look forward to reading your posts. I’ve learned only to read them when I’m not in a rush because I enjoy just sitting and thinking afterward. Thank you, Fredrick.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      How kind of you to say so, Don! Sometimes I’m in doubt whether I should really post my thoughts and of course I’m aware that not everyone can relate to them. If I then get such nice feedback from you, I’m reassured. Enjoy a relaxing weekend!

      Reply
  9. mich avatar
    mich

    I see where you’re going with this — and I love the painting at the very top of the article.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much, Mich! We’ll see where the trip takes me. Something is bound to come of it 🙂 At least I hope so.

      Reply
  10. Rosaliene Bacchus avatar
    Rosaliene Bacchus

    I love the opulence in your work 🙂 I accept that minimalism has its place in art as in real life. It’s much like the difference between the narrative poem and Haiku. It will be fascinating to follow your exploration into a visual expression of essential elements.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thanks very much! I once thought of presenting some of my minimalist work as “painted haiku”. However, haiku is a term that has become somewhat inflationary. Yes, let’s see. If nothing comes of it this time, maybe next time 🙂

      Reply
  11. The Sicilian Storyteller avatar
    The Sicilian Storyteller

    This is something that is very true with writing as well. Being descriptive is, for me, one of the hallmarks of good writing; those are the books I have trouble putting down. When I’m writing I often get lost in my words as I try to be as descriptive as possible without getting convoluted; it’s a fine line. I want my readers to feel like they are right there in the story.
    As a lesson (and also for fun) I am now doing more photo and word prompts with word requirements anywhere from 20 to 80 words. As you can imagine, especially as you discuss the opulence of your art, this is no easy task.
    It will be interesting to see how we both fare in our endeavors to “slim down”. Thanks for another thought-provoking post, Fred.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you Nancy! Yes, for you, as an experienced and convincing writer, the question certainly arises from time to time. Yes, it’s a fine line, but I think that’s its appeal. I’ve been walking the fine line between figurative and abstract for a long time. Your challenge to yourself sounds very exciting and is certainly not easy to master. But don’t we need high goals in order to develop further?

      Reply
      1. The Sicilian Storyteller avatar
        The Sicilian Storyteller

        Absolutely! And my writing, I believe, has improved as a result.

      2. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
        Zettl Fine Arts

        Your writing has always been good. But I know what you mean. Good luck and all the best 🙏🌹☀️

  12. JMN avatar
    JMN

    Excellent remarks well illustrated.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you so much! Let’s see what transpires 🙂

      Reply
  13. Scarlett avatar
    Scarlett

    I loved them all but especially “morning fog at the pond”. Your post was very insightful. I tend to do very busy art. Details and details but it won’t stay that way forever, as I have phases. The movement that your pieces seem to have make them more lively, even if you just use more earthy tones. Well done.

    Reply
  14. goodbyedepression avatar
    goodbyedepression

    Fascinating talent. It feels like Japanese art almost. I like Japanese art, architecture, and martial arts.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging words ❣️🙏 Yes, Asian influence is part of my work. All the best ☺️🌹😁

      Reply
  15. Ana Hernandez avatar
    Ana Hernandez

    Coming at this from the perspective of words: I often teach critical readers to see what is there and what is not. Every creative act implies selection- the most important, the trivial that shades a character or a story. what is not there is a presence in itself. Yet… as a writer I find that to be a struggle. Sometimes I am caught in the trap of what I consider a beautifully worded phrase, a firmula in writing that has “worked” for me. Then looking back, I can- at times- spot those as moments of artistic or emotional dishonesty. I shudder to think of the moments I do not see. I found your comments on opulency very helpful. They are very similar to the feeling I have when I realize I am becoming mannered.
    A Library Rat

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      First of all, thank you very much for your lines!

      I’ve noticed before that our perspectives are very similar in many respects. You think and write at a very high level! But you know that yourself.

      Yes, the difference between writing and painting isn’t that big and we have to contend with similar challenges. “The trap of what I consider a beautifully worded phrase” with you are pleasing colors or shades of tones with me. “I am becoming mannered” seems to be the big challenge. It’s a tightrope walk. Something has to captivate the reader or viewer, otherwise she/he escapes us 🙂

      Reply
  16. Edith avatar
    Edith

    Lieber Friedrich, dieses Loslassen habe ich noch gar nicht sooo gesehen. Für mich stand das Loslassen eher immer für Menschen oder Tiere, die ich loslassen musste, warum auch immer. Aber nun werde auch ich es ausweiten, nicht gerade auf meine Komfortzone, denn in der lebe ich ja, Ich werde darin aber doch auch so Manches nun loslassen und es aufs Schreiben ausdehnen. Mir wurde mal gesagt, ich bediene mich viel zu vieler Worte.
    Alles in allem: Wieder was gelernt bei dir. Und deine Gemälde dazu – wie immer bewundernswert. Ich bin froh, dass du trotz des Loslassens darin noch deinen Stil behältst.
    Herzlichst liebe Grüße in eine hoffentlich gute, neue Woche
    von mir. herz

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Wieder einmal vielen herzliche Dank! Ja, das Loslassen hat viele Facetten. Für mich am Schwierigsten ist das Loslassen von altem Gram. In unserer Komfortzone loslassen ist wie das Entrümpeln des Abstellkammerls. Wir hängen oft an Gewohnheiten, die oft schon ihre Bedeutung verloren haben…..Was zu viele Worte betrifft: es geht nicht um das wieviel, denke ich, es geht um die Qualität, auch bei Worten. Kuehle Hundstage!! LG f

      Reply
  17. Edith avatar
    Edith

    Lach, dann hat man mir es anders durch die Blume sagen wollen.. egal wir sind wie wir sind – du sowieso!
    Hier glüht alles, heut früh waren es kurz mal drei Regentropfen, die Windböen mit sich genommen haben. Also ja, Hundstage, die aus dem August vorverlegt wurden. Komm wir gehen gedanklich Eis schlecken, lächel…

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Eis schlecken!!! So lass ich mir den Klimawandel gefallen 🙂

      Reply
  18. Yeah, Another Blogger avatar
    Yeah, Another Blogger

    Hello. We learn a lot from experimentation. It can reveal new-to-us vistas.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much 😊

      Reply
  19. Gauri Walecha avatar
    Gauri Walecha

    As someone who has always struggled a little with letting go, I love the idea of aiming higher to completely forget the need of being obsessed with unnecessary negativity.

    And, as an artist, I completely relate with the struggles of not knowing what is worth omitting, and what’s worth keeping. It is, in itself, an art to know which errors happen to be art all by themselves.

    Reply
  20. tiramit avatar
    tiramit

    Here’s a link to a German artist who has this similar use of fleeting brush strokes that seem to give life to movements I so admire in your work:
    https://verakomnig.com/2023/07/10/black-and-white-viiin-saatchis-new-this-week-collection/

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much! Yes, it goes in a similar direction in terms of appearance, but my work is based on old traditional painting theories from China and Japan.

      Reply
  21. agndoden avatar
    agndoden

    Welcome on my blog if you are interested in light subject: chapitrelumière.xordpress.com

    Reply
  22. BBYCGN Writing avatar
    BBYCGN Writing

    Your paintings are soothing to me.

    Reply
    1. Zettl Fine Arts avatar
      Zettl Fine Arts

      Thank you very much 🙏 I am glad you like them. All the best ㊗️☀️

      Reply
  23. Essence in Art: Less is More – Zettl Fine Arts

    […] [2] Previous articles on the topic of “letting go”: Gaining by Letting Go, About Letting Go, […]

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