A Frightening Thought

Sometimes you read something that is down right frightening.  I recently read such an article.  This article was written by a very well known artist/writer/business man from the Metro Vancouver area, in British Columbia, Canada.  This author’s name is Chris Tyrell and his latest article is titled “What If There Were No More Galleries?”

Recently, two major Vancouver art galleries closed their doors.  These galleries were not small businesses but major, world-famous affairs.   Chris’s article , which you can read online by searching Chris Tyrell Opus Newsletter, is an opinion letter on the disappearance of exhibition venues for artists of all stripes and the consequences of this….galleries, it seems, may be going the way of the dinosaurs in many locals.

Unpredictable stock markets, rising unemployment and expensive commercial real estate are contributing to this trend but as Chris points out in his article, so too are direct sales festivals, charity art auctions and “vanity galleries”.  He also points out that government cutbacks, on all levels, are hitting the arts community hard, further compounding the problem.  Do check out his article so that you can read his thoughts on the direct consequence to the creative spirit.

Musee D'Orsay, Paris

I personally love visiting galleries.  I love the up close and personal viewing of major works of art.  I love the atmosphere, the intimacy and the emotional experience.  If galleries do go the way of the dinosaur the most accessible public venue for viewing original works might well be the graffiti on the sides of buildings in the dark alleys of our major cities.

I do realize that the chances of publicly funded galleries, such as the Orsay or the National Gallery, disappearing is highly unlikely but local galleries might not be so lucky.  Local galleries fill a void that is necessary for cultural pursuit and for those of us that are unable to fly say, to Paris.

Willing participants, Musee D'Orsay, Paris

If gallery representation is to become obsolete then one is left with what?

I personally find it challenging to ‘direct sale’ my own work.  It is very time consuming.  It makes it difficult to make time to paint.  Besides painting, an artist must now be  at least marginally competent at using the computer, must be a photographer, printer, book-keeper, marketing expert, a distributor, shipper, teacher (and student), historian, writer and somewhat versed in the law.  Whew, that is more than anyone counted on.  Gone are the days of the Impressionists where the painting day passed out in a field or beside a brook, in a garden or on a city street, painting until the light was spent….. after which a good time was had by all in the local establishment:)  In our time frame, many of us are trying to make a living through the ‘direct sales and art actions’ as Chris describes and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to do so.

It remains to be seen how these new trends might affect the free reign of the creative spirit and the development of the ‘new kids on the block’.  Only time will tell.

Sensory Overload

View From Our Roof Top

As I have said before, there really isn’t a place quite like the south of France.

This picture is the view from the roof top of our little hotel, Hotel Dianna.  The St. Jeannet peaks can be seen rising above the valley floor that holds in it’s arms the lovely little winery of the same name.

The days are so hot that mist surrounds any land of even the most modest elevation and the Mediterranean Sea appears to be steaming as it is baked by the sun.  From our little roof top we can see  the walled Roman village of Vence and beyond that the Sea.  This is the most perfect place for a painting trip, for soooooo many reasons.

The lovely thing about a painting trip is that you are immersed in a community, experiencing first hand the art, food and culture of the area in which you do your work.  And, to top it all off, you get to hang out with other artists.  What could be better than that.  For a couple of hundred years or more,  France has lured painters to hang out together and to paint their experience.

Wine Curing - St. Jeannet Winery

The thing about the south is that although you may be surrounded by  millions of people and almost as many cars, you do not get the sense that the “locals” are in a rush, stressed, have deadlines or are over-worked.  If they are, they are not about to show that side of their lives.  As soon as you land on the ground you are pulled into their life style…. a life style full of music, good food and wine, friendship and yes, art.  Art is everywhere!!  You cannot walk 10 meters without experiencing a piece of art.  You’ll either be walking on it, sitting on it, eating it, drinking it, wearing it or just plain looking at it.  The only rush you will be experiencing is the rush to paint as many of the things you are experiencing as possible before you have to leave…..your senses are in overload.

There is sculpture

Markets

Flowers

and

People

…..

Having a camera to record ones experiences is marvelous.  It helps to jog the memory and gives plenty of material to work from once back in your own studio.  However, nothing is quite like painting right there… on the spot.

For all of you would-be travellers, make your next stop the south of France.  You will not be disappointed.

Value Found In The Unfamiliar

Take a look at these!!

Nice Open Market - France

Nice Market

Hot and Spicy

Nice From Above

As you can see, I don’t really know how to insert images into my post   What I do know though, is that  this place is irresistible to artists.

These pictures come from the over 40,000 pictures taken by my husband.  Yes, you read that correctly, 40K.  I have a life time of material to paint from but can’t resist painting on location!

In this previously unfamiliar place, we found adventure, colour, heat, friends, possibilities….each other.  I don’t believe that there is another place quite like the south of France.  Yes, there are beautiful places, warm places, friendly places but this place adds history, class and  the divine, to the mix.  It is mostly indescribable.

I am off to paint in this glorious spot.  I am searching for more interesting backgrounds and more loosely painted paintings.  I am also in search of friends, good wine, good food and adventure.  I promise

Gourdon - France

to keep a good journal and will write about my wonderful experiences upon my return.  Until then!

It’s All In A Days Work

Most, if not all, of us have jobs where ‘creative’ thinking is mandatory.  Something we do every day.  Something we do without even thinking about it, without a second thought.

I don’t care if one is trying to fit more than enough dishes on the drying tray, calculating how to wire a new home with the least amount of material, choosing the best paint /colour and value for the appropriate mood or discovering how to keep the wood bugs from mowing down your lettuce, all jobs require creative adjustment.

Creative problem solving, creative ideas, are a result of a need. When a need arises, a solution appears.   The best solutions tend to come from those ‘spaces’ between thoughts – as many believe the spaces where pure potential exists.

You know when you are just sitting there, staring into space and something absolutely brilliant ‘jumps’ into your head.  Or, when you are trying to resolve an issue, you take a deep breath to cope with the stress and voila….the solution.  These are those quiet spaces where brilliance lies in wait.

I recently re-read  Deepok Chopra’s book on creative potential.  He says that the more often one can quiet the mind, the more able one is to access this potential.   He says that meditation is a sure fire way to increase ones exposure to possibilities.  I use this method to quiet the mind every day.  I also use painting,  communing with nature, working in my garden, hiking, birdwatching and biking.  Many might use running, climbing, rowing, swimming…most solitary past-times where the mind can remain focused and relieved of clutter will work.  Meditation just happens to be a strong, tried and true approach that can be done any time, any where.

I think that most of us have experienced access to this realm of pure potential/possibilities but maybe not as often as we would like.  To increase your ‘creative’ powers and therefore increase the likely-hood of brilliant solutions, try one of the above.  Be ready for what happens next!!

I view it as capturing that brilliance that lies in wait.

Creative Solution - Vence - France

The Call Realized

Leaving the Scene - Oil - Framed $425.00

Ok, ok, so I did end up enjoying the whole process.  I wanted to let my readers know that my entry into the juried show was a success and that I actually had fun!!

The last time I wrote (sorry that this was such a long time ago but life got in the way) I was driving back from the gallery/museum thinking of those that did not make it into this show and sale.  After getting out of the car I pretty much forgot about the whole thing until a few days before the opening.  When I remembered that the date was approaching I asked a good friend of mine if she would like to come to the opening of the show.  When we arrived at the facility it was really quite quiet.  We circled the room viewing the 128 successful entries, critiquing as we went.  It was a lot of fun to see the different styles and subject matter chosen.

The space for the showing is beautiful, equipped with fine lighting and humidity controls.  It has a divider in the centre  of the space that holds paintings on either side.  My friend and I came around from the back side of the divider and were surprised to see a ROOM FULL of people.  I think there must have been 100-150 people beginning to congregate.  It was exciting to see so many people in attendance.  It was also fun to see people’s reaction to my painting.  I wrote the following caption for the piece as we were asked to do.  It reads “

This image was painted as a reflection of closure, the passing of time, the passing of a life.  The image came from a photograph taken by my late husband while we were on a painting trip to France in 2007.  He often took pictures of people and in particular, people ‘leaving the scene’.  After losing him I decided to paint a small ‘mini’ series on this subject and this painting is one of that series.  It basically represents departure, any way the viewer wishes to take that fact.

…and right under these words was written Honourable Mention.  I was so surprised as I was not expecting to win one of the awards.  It was even more surprising as the three top awards in my category were of abstract treatments of the subject matter.

All in all it was an enjoyable evening and something that I will do again.  I do encourage all artists out there, regardless of discipline, to go for it!!

Baring Your Soul – Better Known As “Call To Artists”

It was in mid March when I had to make the decision of whether or not to get back into entering  juried art shows.  There was a time when I entered these types of shows as a kind of ‘proof of life’….was my life as an artist valued by others?  I no longer feel that need but rather have decided to jump back into the practise of  entering shows from a purely business stand point.  Clients/supporters and prospective galleries like to see commitment,  perseverance and yes, accolades.

My past recollection was that choosing your entries is not unlike the proverbial crap shoot…what one juror may love, another may not.  It is also my recollection that jurors will be looking for the following:

1.  A good working knowledge of design principles.

2.  Consistency in quality of workmanship.

3.  Overall expertise in the medium chosen.

4.  A good understanding of value (the use of lights and darks)  and the     effective use thereof.

5.  Good drawing ability doesn’t hurt.

An interesting subject that has somewhat of a magical quality goes a long way as well.

With all of this in mind I proceeded to pole family, friends and students to get their opinions on which pieces to enter.  I mulled over the options and finally decided on two paintings that were the obvious favourites and the final entry was my gut/heart talking.  I filled out the required paperwork, sent it in with my fees and set that project aside.  Remember this was March.

The end of May rolled around and I realized that paintings had to be in for viewing by the jury in a couple of weeks….oh, oh, one of the paintings was not even framed yet!  I took the painting to my very talented framer and she did, as always, a masterful, rushed job for me.  Next stop, the submission line-up.

Most shows are now juried via email and jpg. submissions.  This line-up revealed the value in that approach.  Anxiety filled the air.  There were far too many stern faces.  As we filed in, our pieces were given a number and our personal information was checked and re-checked.  It was all very quiet, very somber in fact.  ‘People are far too serious about this process’, I thought.  As I handed in my paintings, I remember thinking “what will be, will be” and then I left.  We were to return two days later to pick up those paintings that had been rejected (this is the term that is actually used!).

Two days later I return.  There is another line-up, more serious faces.  I watch as time and time again artist’s work is rejected.  I see the disappointment on their faces.  I am feeling bad for the whole lot of them.  It is my turn to receive the news….”one of your paintings has been accepted, the others you can pick up over there” the lady tells me.  Did I feel joy….no.  Was I reminded of why I had given up this habit in the past….yes.

While on the way home I considered the jury process.  I came to realize that it is a necessary evil.  Standards are important and people must learn detachment from outcome.  ‘Nice and easy for me to say, as one of my paintings has been accepted into the show’, I thought.

Guess which painting was accepted….my gut/heart talking piece….go figure.

Leaving the Scene - oil on panel - 9" x 12"

What you ‘see’ is what you get.

I know, I know….you have heard that one before.  But, it is absolutely true!!  I think that fast-food chains are our best example of this phenomena.  Fast food is systematically killing nations yet we still keep asking for (seeing) that product and it is still being ‘given’ to us, regardless of its consequences.

This fact became a reality for me while moving my dirt.  Yep, when you get ‘down and dirty’ and brought to your knees, some of the best insights arrive on your doorstep.

So there I am moving my dirt….2 yards or so to go, sun shining, continuing to contemplate my ‘personal legend’ when disaster struck.  I moved the ‘wrong’ way and severely injured my back, right in the middle, right around the heart .  I could hardly breathe and all I could think of was ‘how am I going to move the remainder of my dirt?’

Before disaster struck my ‘personal legend’ contemplation had been moving in an interesting direction.  It gets complicated.  My thought process was something like this….hmmm, my personal legend, what if it is not a single event or path that a person is to take to discover the treasure at the end of the rainbow?  What if the legend is your life, in all its ups and downs, in all the directions that it takes, regardless of the outcome?  What if you never find your treasure?  Do people often find their treasures and not even realize it?  Could this have happened to me?  Does a person’s treasure have to be objectified?  Could the process be the treasure in itself?  (a small window into how my mind works, yikes!)    I thought, I’d better be more careful or I am going to injure my back, and it happened.

I have spent almost two weeks in a great deal of discomfort.  At times, it is difficult to breathe.  The pain goes from the middle of my back right around to the front, surrounding my heart (hmmm, wonder what that signifies?).  I have searched through every book I own to find out what the emotional origin of this injury might be and how I might fix it…fast.  Then it hit me.  It is  not at all about the injury but where that injury/event takes you.  This injury has taken me back to what I know is true.  One truth for me is, what I ‘see’ is what I get.  I fear the injury, I get the injury.  Another, the process of healing is all encompassing…practise yoga, take time to breathe, let the anger out once and for all and fill that space with love and compassion, eat well and exercise…  My noble truth is that I think I have found out what my treasure is and as corny as it may sound to most of you, I think it is the whole damn world!!  Every last person, animal, bug, tree and rock.  The reason why I am here is just to be here.  To enjoy all that ‘being here’ has to offer.  And, that is it.

You will all be very happy to know that the day after I hurt myself, two friends showed up to help me with my dirt.  They moved every last grain of it without me even asking.  As someone once said…That’s what I’m talking about.

Moving Dirt

Pacific Sands Resort, Tofino, BC - sold

Enough with the rain alright, already!!

It seems like it has been raining my whole life.  Don’t get me wrong, I like the rain but after having faced a winter with almost constant rain, even ducks have had enough.

I had a little over a month off, spending quality time with my company/family and am now trying to ease back into my life as I know it.  I have spent the last few days ‘rebooting’ my hard-drive and am finding that the weather on the coast is not co-operating with my plans.

On our one sunny day I was hit with an overload of zeal and proceeded to order 6 yards of dirt.  Yep, 5 yards of soil and one of mushroom manure.  I don’t know what I was thinking!!  My garden needed a top-up and I needed to get back into some sort of shape but 6 yards is an awful lot of dirt.  I am now working on day 5, in the rain and am just now starting to see a diminished pile.

Moving dirt is hard work, heavy work but in an odd sort of way, I am enjoying myself.  Mostly, it is just the crows and myself toughing it out.  They sit on the wire above where I am working and watch and every now and then, fly down to pick up a treat (earthworms I think).  There are very few passers by in such weather.  It is very quiet.  We had fog roll in today….that only happens in November I thought to myself.

Shoveling dirt is very repetitive, very rhythmic.  You actually get in the ‘zone’.  It is a great time for thinking….or not.  I am re-reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and have been contemplating his messages on ones ‘Personal Legend’ while I move the dirt.  Through all of the lifting and scattering I have come to realize that I do believe that I have not, as yet, recognized  my Personal Legend….. that for which I was born to do, born to accomplish.  I have had an amazing life full of love, laughter, adventure and hardship.  I have accomplished many things but none of which has satisfied my longing for soulful peace.  I come close at times…when doing pretty much anything creative, when spending time with my family, in a forest or smack dab in the middle of a prairie field.

My one hope is that before my pile of dirt has completely disappeared I will have found clarity for that which I seek.  If you drive by my house and see the pile still there, you will know that I am still working on it

Happy Belated Earth Day!

Birthplace of the Mighty Fraser - Watercolour - sold

Go figure.  I have been thinking about Earth Day for at least two weeks and I missed it’s celebration by one day     Although this may seem like a small transgression, it is very profound.

The United Nations designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day, in 2009.  However, this day has been celebrated throughout the world (unofficially of course) since 1970.  It is the day when those who appreciate the gifts bestowed upon us by our planet Earth,  through small gestures of appreciation, contribute to her healing.  Although this day is meant to bring awareness to the world at large, that every step we take on this planet fundamentally affects all concerned, it falls short of facilitating the change needed to protect our Mother Earth.

Our family has endeavoured for years to be part of the solution and not the problem and we still have plenty of work to do.  It takes vigilance to make conscious choices in her favour.  It ticks me beyond belief that I missed this day of recognition.

As an artist and naturalist I am forever reaping the benefits of the natural world.  I am humbled daily by the beauty that surrounds me and am often disturbed by our collective disregard for the planet on which we live.  If we did to our own home and belongings what we do to Mother Earth, our sanctuaries would be a pigsty.

This may seem like a rant against humanity but it is really a reminder to myself to be more conscious in all aspects of my life, especially where the earth is concerned.  After all, as I have told my kids for years (and I am quite sure they are sick of hearing me say this), if we cannot breathe the air or drink the water, nothing else really matters.  It will not matter how much money we have, what car we drive, the size of our studios, whether we sell our wares….we will be too sick to care.

I read a quote by Kahlil Gibran yesterday that goes like this “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair”.  Beautiful isn’t it?  Let’s strive to keep our planet yearning for our presence and not wishing for our demise.

The Relentless Spirit

I hold a class every Wednesday morning.  Students tend to come and go from this class.  It is a very fluid experience.  I absolutely love the combination of students that appear.  At the moment the students are eager to learn and have quite a philosophical bent…..right up my alley.

One of the current students is an 87 year old, retired medical doctor.  He has painted on and off for years but had little instruction so struggled with some of the basic principles of creating a strong composition and the development of a subject.  He likes to paint from life…no photographs for him…and his work resembles a cross between a young Monet and a mid-life Cezanne.  He told us this past week that he has grade 10 in piano and plays Mozart every day for 20 mins to keep in the game.  He also mentioned that he had never wanted to be a doctor, that his desire had been to be a musician.  I do believe that he just may be my new teacher.

I have spent the afternoon pondering our class discussion of the creative spirit…you know, that part of ‘self’ where all the magic evolves and presents itself rather humbly throughout our day.  As a group we had decided that the creative part of ourselves is fundamental to being human and that it is never ending….relentless in its pursuit to bring  joy and harmony into our lives.  Personally, I would extend the existence of spirit well beyond the human condition.  I see its manifestation in the daily life of my cats and the crows that live in my yard, for example.

The piano playing, retired doctor, that has now taken up the pursuit of  painting at 87 years of age,  made reference to a book he was reading called the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra.  He was telling us that he was learning about the creative spirit but that he thought some people were more creative than others.  I wanted to say to him “define creative” but decided not to mess with an 87 year old.  After all, people are allowed their opinions and he may not have finished the entire book

I suppose what I see in this student are possibilities, hope, desire and a whole lot of creative spirit.  He is staying in the game and loving it.

Lessons learned…Spirit is relentless.  It is not restricted by age or gender, nor does it have limits.  Negativity is not its friend.  Possibility is what it thrives on.