Finding Your Voice

One of the main thing I tell emerging artists is that they must find their own style and create their own story. Some are even tired of hearing me talk about "a cohesive body of work". At the center of this advice is something that each artist must find: their own unique voice. Some will find they harmonize with the mainstream audience. Their art is "accessible" and easily fits in with today's decorating trends. Others will find their voice away from the crowd. Like the high pitch sound of a piccolo that rises above the sound of the symphony, or the deep base tones of the timpani/bass drum that undergirds the harmonies of other instruments, each style of art has its place.

This piece is called The Music of Embrace. Today it will remind me to embrace my place in the grand scheme of visual art. Whether you fly higher to explore the heavens, dig deep to discover the mysteries of the earth, or sing in harmony with your audience, may you too embrace the voice you've been given and sing it loud and clear.

Art and Flowers

This is "Cotton Candy Memory". It is a painting inspired by my memories of sitting on a beach on Florida's west coast as a teen (yes, I had the privilege of living just an hour away from the beach through high school) watching the sunset with the boy who would become the man I married. A return to Florida's west coast for an art show precipitated the memory and painting earlier this year. This Friday it will serve (I hope!) as inspiration for a florist to create an arrangement which will then be offered as a silent auction item at the Art and Flowers event in Nashville. You can go to the event section of the website to get the details. Needless to say I think it will be a great night as 25 artists and florists are paired, food and wine flow, all serenaded by ALIAS Chamber Musicians. Maybe I'll see you there!

How Can You Let it Go?

I am often asked how I can let paintings leave my studio. It is an interesting question. As an artist each piece is in fact an extension of my heart and my spirit. That is true. As a professional artist, each piece I create for my inventory is painted to bless someone else's heart and spirit. I am humbled and honored when a customer is willing to part with their hard earned money to purchase something I have created.

I am a mother of two adult boys. I delight when I see them doing what I know they were created to do. It is the same with my paintings. When the person for whom I created a painting takes it home, I know it is doing what it was created to do. In fact it fascinates me to see just who it was that I painted a given painting for. "Oh you're the one!" Is it difficult? No, it is a joy and a privilege. Thank you to all of you who have given me such delight as you have carried a painting out of the studio/gallery/tent. May it bless your heart and spirit!

Transitions

This morning I have been thinking about my hair of all things. I am going through what they call "transition" as I let my natural (silver) color grow out without coloring it. Right now I am beginning to look a little "skunky" as that silver line along the part becomes more apparent. Like my hair, so my artistic expression and my life in general. I realized that although I am excited and anticipate my new look, I also am impatient to get to the end of the process. Yet, every now and then I catch a glimpse of what is to come.
My paintings are in the same mode as I transition from "creating inventory" to being more deliberate about my inspiration for each piece and carefully develop every inch of every canvas. I have glimpses of what the whole collection will be like as I can point to several pieces and know they fit the bill. But I also need to wait until the inventory turns over to see an entire collection of newly inspired paintings.
Interesting that what we in the general public call "roots" as our hair grows, stylists and professionals call "new growth or regrowth". I like that. Look to your new growth to see where you are heading and you might just catch a snapshot of your future. Happy transitioning!