Sunday, October 30, 2005

Process


I was asked the other day if I was goal oriented. No, I'm not. I enjoy the process so much that I don't have a "rush" when something gets finished. I do feel good about the result, but I miss the process that made the result come about. Saying goodbye to a project that I have loved doing is difficult. I wonder how many other artists feel this way and I also wonder how much this stops me and others from actually completing projects. It certainly influences how many projects I have going at one time. I always have several and it creates a sense of secure creativity to know that there is always something waiting for my creative energy. For me the outcome of painting, be it good or bad, is not as important as the fact that I spent time creating.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Treasures


The heart of life is in finding treasures in daily things. I was thinking about how little things in life affect my outlook in my art. An odd shadow here, a piece of moss on a walkway, the stain of a fallen leaf on cement (a favorite of mine), or a strange little heart shape in an unlikely place. It is in noticing these things that makes my life more rich and full and that nourishes my art.

Thursday, October 27, 2005


I've been thinking about doors and windows in life. I've also been thinking about the concept of steeping. Sometimes before one can open a door or window in life one needs to have a cup of tea and let it steep for a while - metaphorically speaking. Plunging into some direction without this thought process is sometimes effort put into the wrong direction, but steeping allows us to consider where we are and how we want to go forward. I think I'm steeping today.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

What's on the Other Side of the Door


Here I am, an artist and writer and I'm wondering what is on the other side of the door. Creativity is certain, fear is certain, new things are certain and they all take courage. Artists and writers constantly face fear and change. It is what we do and how we live and it is why it is called creativity. To be creative means to change the way things are and approach something from a new presence of mind and being. I'm afraid. I'm opening the door.....