After a much needed sabbatical from mid March through April I am happy to say I am back in the saddle, so to speak, inspired and energized.
Much has transpired since then.
I've been giving a lot of thought to my paintings and what others see. I've heard many comments on various aspects such as "beautiful work!" and "juicy brushwork" as well as "..so full of color!". All of which are much appreciated! :) Who wouldn't want their ego stroked from time to time? I wonder though, after a rather riveting conversation with a local gallery manager, what people feel when they see my work. Granted, this is a painting of 3 apples. What are you supposed to feel? Hungry? Maybe.. I glanced back through my digital files in the day view (that is - the most current upload listed at the top and descending by date to the first upload at the bottom of the file) what, if anything, is said about me through my paintings ~ Too deep?? Get used to it, I'm reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Repair and it's inspired an introspective approach to my own work ~Wikipedia says, "..Introspection (or internal perception) is the self-examination of one's conscious thoughts and feelings.[1]"
This particular painting is happy. Satisfied. Non threatening. Maybe even sunny - cheerful. The composition is non chaotic. Simple, if you will, yet the apples are snuggled together. Whatever that means.
When I painted this, all was well. My future was perhaps not defined but secure enough. I had a degree of routine but not boring. You see, at the time I painted this I was caring for my mother who had Alzheimer's. Not by myself but with the help of a wonderful facility about 4 miles away. My responsibilities were to love and visit her, pay her bills and the occasional trip to the doctor. The easy part. Sounds easy enough. Visiting got harder as the disease progressed. More can be said but at another time. The point is - I knew my role and I performed it to the best of my ability.
When I painted, I was alone in my studio and zoned in entirely on these three apples and their little nuances of color. Everything else - gone. Dissolved. My Bose radio repeated the same 4 discs over and over yet I wouldn't even be aware of the discs changing. In the zone. You artists know what I'm talking about.
I dont know what others see in this painting but I see someone who had come to know who she is/was. Satisfied with that. Maybe even happy with it. Definitely comfortable. It had taken a while to get there but I had arrived. These apples are a testimony to that.
No comments:
Post a Comment