How people view our artwork

How people view an artist's work is as unique as the individual. 

Every one of us has life experiences that inform how we look at the world around us.  People view our work as unique as to how each individual person thinks, dreams, senses, and perceives the world around them.  It is so fun to learn about all the angles art will bring to mind while looking, absorbing, dissecting, analyzing, and swallowing the whole piece.

Some will take an analytical approach “Perhaps there is some sort of reference to…?" 

Some will take a dream approach…”It takes me far away…" 

and some will take on a memory approach…”It reminds me of…"

But what do people see when they look at a pastel?  Well, there is one common reaction I get each time, and that is…”Oh, that’s CHALK, isn’t it?  Well, it is the most common art material since the dawn of time and is often mistaken for chalk, but no, it is not chalk.  It’s pure pigment rolled up with a touch of binder.  

....Silence....

The earliest renditions of art are displayed in the caves of Lascaux and were made with mankind's first pastels.  The earliest masters used it to summon up quick ideas and from that time on, artists have relied on its versatility to create beautiful works of fine art.  People will always view our work as individually as the artist creates.

 A different point of view... 

creates new ideas. 

When I was a young child I would spend hours burning energy riding my bouncy horse. After a couple of hundred races, I wondered if there were other ways to ride the horse. Why not? So I tried riding on it facing backward.  And then I tried riding side-saddle and eventually, I discovered hanging upside down was the best...until the blood rushed to my head.

I suppose the horse taught me that changing my perspective might open up new possibilities...and that curiosity could offer up some life lessons.  Flexing my point of view has helped me manage a few challenging circumstances. In these uncertain times, I believe that flexibility is more important than ever before.

Sometimes we can just get in our own way....and sometimes we can get in others' way too.  
A stifled point of view could deem us self-absorbed, judgemental, and even shall I say...narcissistic.  But when we get out of our own way and begin to understand another's viewpoint or life experiences, our compassion and forgiveness grow.  Listen carefully and ask questions to better understand their "why" or "view" to see what makes them "tick". We don't have to agree, yet understanding another's point of view or experience connects us and certainly opens up doors to better relationships in our community.  We humans have the unique ability to have and share compassion for others.

What if?
Why not?
How fun!

Moving along...