“Creativity is a mindset, an attitude. Regardless of how we feel - low or high or in between - creativity is always there.”
-Nikki Coulombe
"Simple Curiosity" work on canvas 40" x 40"
This week I was reading a blog post by Sheree Rensel titled; “Life by the Batch” it speaks of an analogy between life and chocolate chip cookies that she eloquently interpreted from an accidental viewing of a Joel Olsteen TV sermon. It went something like this “… if your life isn’t going well at any given moment, we shouldn’t get upset or see it with eyes of doom. Life is broken up into segments. Each part plays a role in the creation of the whole. We need to see the portions of our life in totality. Each event acts as an ingredient to the final product…” It goes on into how each part of our lives, the ups and the downs, combine to make the whole . It is so difficult to see the importance of those down times when we are mired in them. These days there seems to be an unending supply of daily contributions to the down time. Creativity is a mindset - it is always there high or low, up or down, baked or raw. I am working very hard to stay in the positive - at least now, after reading this fun post, I feel I can comfortably add my own personal down time to the mixing bowl and move on. Thanks Sheree for sharing your thoughts! Bake on!!
It has been a long week of painting and finishing up work in preparation for my upcoming show season. Painting edges, wiring, titles, cataloging, pricing, etc. - all the ingredients are starting to come together. I will be taking my work to 4 large outdoor art festivals this spring. All are highly competitive events that require applications, jurying, waiting months for notifications (invited or not?), and then if I get invited, lots of planning for the actual event. There are numerous artists, many good friends, who exhibit exclusively at these festivals all over the country year-round - traveling every weekend. I prefer to apply to a number of different events and hope for 3-4 festivals each spring (and fall) and then balance the rest of my time with Galleries and Corporate work. So far, I am on target for the spring. I will leave for the 4 Bridges Art Festival in about two weeks. I have never been to Chattanooga so I am looking forward to seeing a new city. After that, two shows in the DC area and then Philadelphia in June. Of course the aim of these events - the reason I am traveling to these great cities - is to present and sell my artwork! Somehow that part of it seems a bit more overwhelming this year, a bit more monumental in the face of the recession. Deep breath - creativity - it is what I do - high, low or in between. Art does require courage.
If you are close to any of these locations, come by! I would love to say hello in person.
To view a complete listing of the other shows I will be exhibiting at this spring click here.
“All art requires courage” -Anne Tucker
Above work is available.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent post, I needed some inspiration today as the snow looms like a shroud on our expected springtime!
Abundant blessings! You will shine.
Last night Jon and watched the documentary about Optimism by Michael J. Fox.
Beyond outstanding. So eloquent I must see it again. Every sentence a gem of firsthand wisdom from someone battling so much.
To deal with such insight and grace. Should be required watching for every human being!
Pat
All art does indeed require courage! It took me over 50 years to muster the courage to call myself an artist. You know, once I officially called myself an artist, I would be required to present my vulnerable side to the public, to my friends, to anyone who looked at my paintings. That’s a tough assignment, to handle possible rejection, scrutiny, critiques, etc. One day I realized what I was doing — living a lie, and that was far worse than having to feel like the “Emperor Without His Clothes,” so to speak.
I loved your post. It is a great beginning to my day in the studio.
B Lancton