One artist’s viewpoint on why patrons connect to artwork.
The other day I received an e-mail from a friend who is an incredible photographer. He had taken a great photo of a coyote and had added a story about what that particular photo-op had meant to him.
Now why would this be so significant, so important, that I feel the need to share it with others. Because his story — the emotions he was going through at the time that the coyote “posed” for a shot — allowed us as participants to connect to the moment, to connect to him and to connect to our emotions. Because he shared his ruminations about his situation at the moment, it permitted us to connect to our humanness and to our divinity by participating in his story and photo.
So many of us have been taught to not be in touch with our emotions — to not be “human” — when in actuality we are divine beings having a human experience. We came here to experience life — so, we should! We are here to obtain joy, to be happy, to connect.
He personalized his venture and shared with all of us the reflective and somber mood he was in, and connected US to HIS actuality. I felt like I was there. This is why all artists do what we do. We do it to aid others to get in touch with who they are — with a past emotion or circumstance — to connect us to the Heart Space.
And so, dear friend, I thank you for reminding me about why I paint, you take pictures, the chef creates, the musician sings, and the writer writes.
We do it for all……because we are all one.
I thank you again for allowing me to connect with you.
Paula
This is why it’s important to share your passion with the world. To connect. To lessen the gap between all of us. To heal the world. I didn’t totally “get” the significance of what I was writing when I was writing it. Now I do.
Thirty paintings in 30 days — Day 1
May 1 2010
Okay – so where to start?
Did I mention, I love what I do?
As I lie here in my bed, drinking my first cup of coffee and looking at Grandmother Mountain (Taos Mountain), I am contemplative about this undertaking I have chosen. This past week has been incredible. I had written several goals for this year and envisioned them, and the majority of them have already come to fruition.
I wanted 3 more galleries — or should I say non-traditional spaces — to showcase and merchandise my artwork, and no sooner had I decided it, I had two. The third came as a delightful surprise in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in a stunning showcased home store owned by two beautiful men.
I wanted to share with people some of my beliefs on spirituality — and had an interview this week. Check that off my list!
And, although not a conscious goal, I had been meditating — a lot — asking Creator/Spirit, to show me what I was to “do” to best serve. Voilà — I have realized that I AM an artist, and that being an artist is so much more important that I thought it was. As artists we bring in energy — gifts from “above” — to share with all. We allow collectors or patrons to get in touch with a past memories that aid them in getting in touch with their emotions — their inner-child. No longer do I believe that what I do is fluff. It is essential to the growth of the world. I love what I do.
Today is the Dueling Paintbrushes event at a local gallery — a kick-off for my Thirty in 30 — a great, fun performance that I am doing with a fellow artist. But is that really the first painting endeavor that I want to do for my “I’m a big girl artist” party — or do I want to do something less public — more reflective? With the mood that I am in, I think it needs to be done alone.
And so, I am back — the A.D.D. artist. I went to make more coffee (first cup was cold) and did a small painting — Wee Ones #43. Distracted by shiny objects — or as the t-shirt my family got for me one year says, “They say I’m A.D.D. They don’t know what they’re talking about . . . Oh Look, A Chicken!!”.
Second cup of coffee is cold. First painting of Thirty in 30 is done. Still in my pajamas. Did I mention, I love what I do.
Blessings to all,
PJ
Yup . . . it’s starting to show. It’s starting to show how much I love being an artist. It’s starting to show just how doing what I love to do started opening my heart . . . creeeeeeeeck . . . you can hear the old keys turning in the locks. Trust me . . . there are still several locked doors to go through.
Thirty paintings in 30 days — Day 2
May 4 2010
6 paintings down — 24 to go
So, yesterday was Day 1 — and three paintings down. It was the "Dueling Paintbrushes" event at my gallery— with a fellow artist — where we faced off with brushes. The competition is one where we each provided pictures of things we were willing to paint, and the picture is chosen by someone other than us. When the gallery owner and staff pick out a picture for me to paint from . . . Ahhh . . . it’s one I have been reluctant to paint as I have not been sure how to “do it.” So, now I have to “do it” in front of people. Well, there is nothing like trial by fire.
The bell rings — we start. The gallery owner gives my fellow artist a “clue” about my painting — it is Mount Rushmore. She gives me a “clue” about my cohort. It is Fritz Scholder — WHO??? I’m clueless. I have no idea who that is, and so, I have no idea what the heck she is painting. Oh well, I’m there to paint – not second guess anything.
I get finished with Kansas Rushmore in 2 hours. I’m beat — but what to do with the next hour? It is suggested that I paint another painting. It could suck — I think to myself — or, it could be good. Hmm . . .
I can do this . . . I can do this . . . I can do this. This is the first time in my life — other than my almost 25 year marriage that ended just 8 months shy of 25 years — that I have made THIS kind of a commitment to myself. One that really has a lot of meat to it . . .
I come home after being soooo wiped. And I paint (the next morning) three more little paintings! They are kick-ass. I am really liking what I am doing. It is like channeling. It is like the Universe/Spirit/Creator/God is flowing through me. I am only a vehicle. I like this. I love this. Have I said how much I love what I do?
Love,
Paula
So pushing myself to learn isn’t such a bad thing after all. Pushing myself to be competent in my craft is actually a good thing. Click . . . another key turns . . . and my heart is bursting to come out.
Activism and drama: When are they a part of one’s spiritual path?
May 5 2010
My name is Paula, and I’m a Drama Queen . . .
. . . not just a minor one. It HAS BEEN a major part of my life. I say has been because I recognize it now as a trick of Ego to pull me out of my center — out of my groundedness . . . off my path. It is one of my biggest lessons this lifetime. That, and one that most of us have — to love and forgive oneself.
For those of you who know me, I have been on quite a journey the past two years — a spiritual finding of myself . . . and this blog is my “coming out.” It is the “putting my money where my mouth is”, “Katie bar the door,” and “OMG, are you really that ’airy fairy’,” confession.
Lately, I seem to be super sensitive to drama and activism. And so I have prayed and meditated a lot around these subjects. Obviously, I have been involved in a lot of drama — it is somewhat of an adrenaline rush — and so is my family. But, what does it serve? When is it appropriate? Drama — never. Activism — when it has something to do with one’s life lessons. Because as you know — Spirituality 101 — that which you