Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Searching

Well, here's something strange to look at! I absolutely know I cannot draw and I don't even know if I want to learn but Kelly Rae Robert's book, Taking Flight, inspired me to give it a try. Trying to find my voice is such a struggle!! Many years ago I tole painted in a folk art style that was roughly based on Bauernmalerei. When I had a blank piece in front of me I knew EXACTLY what to do. I had a style. I painted and people paid and that was that. I lived in a different world then; one where I didn't have what people consider a "real" job. Painting helped pay the bills and allowed me to stay home with my young children. I am really not sure I care to go back to that world. You get caught up in making what people want and making money and some of the creativity is lost. But I digress...
Since I have discovered mixed media and altered anything and outsider art I LOVE, LOVE LOVE the genre but I struggle to find my voice. There are so many talented artist out there and I read the books and I "try on" their styles, but nothing emerges as truly MINE. I know this is a passing fad, just like the tole painting I did in the 80s, so I'm not even sure I want to go back down that road of making things to make money. If it doesn't make money then what's the point (that's my Norwegian side). Making art for art's sake is admirable (that's my Irish side). There must be some happy middle ground!
I am currently using Lisa Sonora Beam's book "The Creative Entrepreneur" to see if I can figure out what it is I really want to do with the art.
To be continued......
BTW, the numbers represnt beers. I thought #4 looked like Tina Turner gone wrong but my son says it looks like a transvestite.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Life in the Grownup World

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I posted. A funny thing happens when life collides with art. Life wins! Or at least it did this time. I suppose some would say you shouldn't let that happen but the reality is that women fill many roles; wife, mother, grandmother, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, friend and worker. I feel grateful that the people I love value me enough to need me. I also know that the art will build inside me until it reaches a fever pitch where I can't go one more minute without letting it out and the ideas will come fast and furious. When that moment comes I will be in that zen place where the ideas are just right there in the front of my mind. I can hardly wait!