AND THEN...........

And then, I got to thinking some more.


"What if", I asked myself, "no one ever saw your paintings except you? Would you keep painting?"

Without a second's hesitation, I answered myself.

"Absolutely!"

So, I guess that pretty well settles everything. Regardless of whether I ever got another compliment...or ever had another painting sell....the only thing that would change is that I would have to figure out some place to put this ever-growing stack of paintings.

As often happens, that question led to another one.

"Self, if no one would ever see your paintings, would you paint differently? Would you paint the same subjects you do right now? Would you care if they turned out good? And who's definition of 'good' would you use to make that judgement?"

We'll get to the ansers to those questions in a minute.

But first...........l am having the idea of doing some word changes here. Let's look at these questions a little differently.

What if these were my questions?

"Self, if no one would ever see your life, would you live it differently? Would you do the same things you do right now? Would you care if it turned out good? And who's definition of 'good' would you use to make that judgement?"

Ah....Art as Life. Life as Art.

I'll have to spend some more time thinking about that little turn-around I just made.

Right now, it's back to the easy stuff.

I think, the only changes I would make regarding my painting is that I'd take more chances. I'd be willing to make more 'mistakes' in order to learn more. 'Cause it's in the correcting that I learn to do it 'right' the first time. And by 'right', I mean carrying out my vision...my intent.  Also, occasionally, taking a chance leads to something splendiforously wonderful!

And, conversely, I think that sometimes I would spend more time developing a vision-allowing my intent to become more clear in my mind BEFORE I put paint on the canvas. Then, everything would be all about the process...the actual 'being' IN the 'doing'- moment, by moment.

I might have just answered some of those 'life' questions, too.

Ya think?

So, here's what I'm taking a chance on today.  This is an un-named, unfinished  18 x 24 painting. 

And it's calling my name.

I am grateful that now I get to go dance with my brush!

WHY DO I PAINT?

This morning, I was checking out another blog by yet another fabulous artist. I'm sure I could, literally, spend days looking at one blog after another-all by artists better than me by a long shot!


Every one of those artists....and lots of the other gazillion good artists who are NOT blogging....are reaching for a sliver of art market pie. A very few actually snag a piece of said pie....and often, it is a very tiny sliver....hardly worth the effort, it would seem.

So.........the question is this:

Why do I paint when there are so many other paint pushers who are equal to-or way better than-me?

The quick, easy answer is, "Because I have to." I can no more imagine my life without painting that I can imagine surviving without my very breath.

There's lots more I could add to that. Lots of very deep psychological and spiritual influences fuel this fire in me to push paint around on a canvas.

But what I am writing about this morning is more about this question.
"Why are you, too, reaching for a slice of art market pie?

That one has a quick, easy answer, too.

"I have to sell in order to be able to buy more art supplies."

There might be some more reasons........

It could be that my depression-era parents drilled into me that it is not ok to spend so much time and money on any endeavor which doesn't have a financial return.

It could be that I need the validation from others that my art is, at least, acceptable. And that validation is provided by them handing over cold, hard cash for one of my paintings.

It could even be that something in my soul is satisfied when one of my paintings touches another so much that they just have to have it!

I know I love the compliments I often get when I show people my work. I do. I have to admit that. I also must admit that there is a little voice in my head that says, 'They're just being nice.'

But when they actually buy something....then, I believe them.

Oh...and it has to be a perfect stranger for me to get that validation I crave. When a friend pays me for my art, that little voice pipes up and says 'They wouldn't buy it if they weren't your friend.'

Deep in my heart, I feel that I should give my paintings to any friend or family member who wants it.

Oh, I'd love that!

How fun it would be to give my loved ones first pick and then just set up on the side of the road somewhere and give my stuff away to whoever wanted it! Or post it on-line with a first come-first serve give-away!

This little girl who resides inside this 65 year old body would like that. Very much!!!

SELF-PORTRAIT

8 X 10

So....I'm not sure I'm any closer to THE answer to my second question...or even if there is a 'THE ANSWER' to that question.

The only question I can answer, for sure, about this painting thing is:

"What are you going to do today?"

No matter what day it is, the answer is the same.

"I'm going to paint."

RILLITO RUNNING

18 X 24

And for that, I'm grateful!

P.S.
I'm not  positive this is going to work....but here is the link to my newest painting on Kodak.  Many of you have already seen these, but I did add three more this morning...just in case you want to have another peek.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?facebook=true&sourceId=984136008703

Most of these were done in the last couple of months....and even more that I don't have on here.  I've been busy painting...and not blogging!   ;)