Apex

Something Ive been thinking about recently is the point where a work has reached a certain point which its plasticity is at highest level (plasticity referring to desirable or valuable aspects within a work).  This is the apex of a given work, the point in which nothing more of value can be added to a work. Almost any artist can recognize this point in a work, when a piece starts to leave you and you begin questioning whether the work is done or not. More often than not, what happens is the individual continues to work on the piece because it is not at the intended state which the artist envisioned. This has to be one of the biggest follies of the young artist, the ability to get in their own way. What inevitably then occurs is the continued striving of the artist to create some preconceived image which leads to an already quality work collapsing upon itself. The ability to both literally and metaphorically step back from a work is essential to the progress and growth of any creator.