Finding Grace...amidst the chaos

 

(At the MET in NYC)

 

Life as we know it sure has taken us for a loop or two. I don't know about you, but I am beginning to sense that we are living in the midst of a paradigm shift. How we communicate, shop, move about, learn, and conduct social gatherings has suddenly been realigned.  I want to know if you have had to conduct a video phone call...in your jammies?  Or been shopping for that needed necessity, but too nervous to enter into a grocery store so you just do without?  What about those loved ones who are, or have suffered from illness?  I'm sure you know what I mean.  Drive-up pharmacies, facial masks, drive-thru coffee shop kiosks, binging on news headlines, and online shopping are now taking a front seat. As for me and my creative family of artist friends, we have had to cancel all art gatherings, gallery events, and classes have had to be re-imagined...OVERNIGHT!  BAM!  ZOOM!

Let's count the benefits of a solitary, home-bound life:  families engaging in conversation at the dinner table over a creatively home-constructed mash-like concoction of leftovers. Thoughtful conversations with loved ones, a closer, more united humanity, and honoring life with the help of heroic medical professionals. I imagine we are getting to know each other on a deeper level. Our weaknesses and strengths are exposed by this current reality, making us all take a second look at what life just is. Our environment is cleaner without all the consumption of fuel, with clear skies and fresh rain. I sure hope you can see some of the good in all of this.  As for my creative life? I am working with more intention and giving deeper thought to what and why I paint...in the peace and safety of my solitary studio.

By the way... in the above image of the large painting, I see a reflection of a tree trunk upon the surface of a body of water with large, pale koi fish, and leaves suspended upon the surface. What might you see in the above piece of art?

Dexter #3, 6x6

"Dexter #3" 6x6" Oil

It's been a difficult day with all the tragedy in the news, I nearly felt guilty for painting today.  But painting was the only sanity I had to help me escape the talk online and on the news channels.  Here is my escape..."Dexter #3" a fun little portrait of Dexter the pencil sharpener with his sidekick to keep him company.  Dexter kind of looks a bit like R2D2, don't you think?

The other day, I visited Artists Helping Artists.  Have you heard of them?  It is an online radio broadcast by Leslie Saeta who offers discussions on how to market artwork and other very helpful topics for artists.  Leslie lists several shows from which to listen to and so I clicked on the topic "How to Create an Insanely Popular Blog".  With all the great suggestions I hope to change out a few things to make my blog more "sticky".  I started off with playing around with my Blogger layout and a few other bits here and there. So with that, I'm going to make the effort to give my blog some extra attention this coming year.  If you have a blog, what do you do to create interest and dialogue?  Is it the art, or the story? Do tell!

Stay safe and hug your loved ones more often.