General Systems and the Process of Creating a Painting

Abstract

This paper describes the developmental procedure Pam uses as a watercolor artist, and points out some of the general systems factors that play roles in her process. The discussion compares the forms of these factors in Pam's process with their general descriptive definitions. These descriptive definitions are from the published work of Vincent Vesterby from 2007 to 2010, and from current work.

Twenty-two general systems factors were identified in relation to portrait painting: (1) initiator, (2) consequent-existence, (3) self-identity, (4) transformation-point, (5) situation, (6) situation-development, (7) precursor, (8) structural-logic, (9) general-factor, (10) design-archetypes, (11) psychological-archetypes, (12) combinatorial-enhancement, (13) bonding-coherence, (14) organizational-coherence, (15) template, (16) direct-transitional-factor-development, (17) sequentially-direct-precursor, (18) reality-referent, (19) feedback, (20) self-organization, (21) deep-structure, and (22) emergence.

Many of these factors play roles at the spatial, temporal, and material foundations of reality, at the foundations of all that exists. That they are also present and playing their roles in the creation of art, which requires the extraordinary complexity of living systems, conscious awareness, culture, and creativity, demonstrates the universality of general systems.