Musings

Being an artist in a retail environment is always interesting. I understand that a person walking into the gallery would not automatically know that I am the creator of the works they are viewing. However, it is amazing how casually people speak out their personal likes and dislikes without consideration. This holds true for art shows as well. Yesterday it was quite blunt "I don't like that one or that one." Then the inevitable "Are you Deborah?" and the chagrined look and back pedaling. It has triggered musings about the push/pull of emotions that we artists must live with. In order to survive in this environment one must develop a bit of a thick skin. Comments like "I could do that" or "Look at that price!" or whatever are more than common. On the other hand it takes a soft heart and an ability to reflect upon life to open the door for creativity. So, we learn (or keep trying to learn) to not take comments personally, laugh about it, think about that book of customer comments all artists dream about writing, and move on back to the easel.

In Progress

Thought I'd share something I'm working on. This is a large piece: 48x48. It feels great to be working large after focusing on smaller Christmas season items for a while. What you see here is the first layer of paint. Several more layers will follow bringing definition and detail, highlights and lowlights, additional texture and all 'round finish to the painting. Kind of like life isn't it? We start with who we are in our most basic sense, and as life moves forward we experience that which brings greater definition and depth through the highlights and lowlights of life. In that experience we gain greater texture, depth, and all 'round finish to our lives. Hmmmm.