Sharika Roland

Important paintings are ones that are breakthrough new idea works. The best ones are the ones that you did not see coming. Usually after days and days of striving and thrashing about and almost total despair you might end up with something new.

In the world of painting something new is hard to come up with. Everythng has been done before. You think this till you do something unexpected and it is now the new thing and you have a new level to reach, from here on out. Painters never get as good as they will ever get.  Never.  You always can do better. Even if that better is something more simple than your previous work.

It is harder to be simple and profound and beautiful than it is to be elaborate. To strip everything away but he most simple idea that is perfect is my newest goal. New space, new feelings. I crave a simple line. A beautiful simple line will take you a lot further than you think. That line has to resonate into the depths of most peoples understanding. If a lot of people understand it then it is a true line. It is a beautiful line and it will never stop speaking to you.

Most people find moving day horrific. All the boxes and going up and down stairs and the total exhaustion when you are through.

But I find it exhilarating. Going through and looking at the things you have acquired over the years is an important part of moving. closing. changing. opening a new space in your life for something else.

The truth of the matter is we are in constant flux. We change all the time in our perception, and our learning and our experiences. So really as soon as we get the house just right it is outdated. Almost like the latest computer gadget. Our cells totally are new every seven years. Even our body changes every day. It is best to embrace it and move on.

Move move move , until you can’t move anymore. Let God stop you from moving. He is the only one who can really stop you from moving. Moving equals living.

picture by By SisterMaryEris

When you are blessed to have sold a lot of paintings in one day what is one to think. That you are great, or popular or important. It is very hard to look at myself and say any of those things.

All I know is I love what I do and maybe it shows. That is all I know or care about. The rest is superfluous but that said it is so nice to have a good day in the gallery.

I told everyone, not to brag but to just share. If something good happens you should share. Now I will be able to pay my poor hard working webmaster and a few other people that have helped me along. What selling does is give you freedom to paint more and give more and not be all concerned if you are going to die or something.

Selling a lot is like going to a surprise party. You did not know it would happen. But when you get there you are so glad it did. Surprise and delight that is what selling a lot in one day is like. I wish the same for you and you and you so much that I can taste it. I want all artists to be able to get the blessings of sales.

I was painting my new studio yesterday and was thinking how exciting it is to move. Any change in scenery is good.  Even if you are moving to a smaller space or a darker place, it doesn’t matter because it will be different. I love moving. I love moving . MOst people hate it but I love it.

It makes me appreciate time. My old space was good to me and I met so many wonderful people but time moves on and so do I.

I think if you stay in the same place too long you start to not see it anymore. When you move you see everything. The memories come back and the dreams start going. If I had my ideal life I would move every year. That is why I want to get an airstream so I can take off when time allows. We only have so much time on this earth.

That said I have been at the same church for 12 years now. A record breaking long long time for me. The reason is new people keep coming so its ok. And they are kind to me and I have not gotten kicked out yet so its all good. But I still think you should not get too attached to where you live to spice things up a bit .

image by prawnpie

Sometimes we wait for something to happen that will shake us up. I know people that expect something outside of them to come into their lives and then everything will happen. That has never never never been my experience.

Here is the truth. Things will happen when you walk toward them. You have to buy the ticket to Europe, you have to quit your job, you have to jump into the water.  If you wait for someone or something to push you in – being fired, becoming ill, or some other difficulty that brings change – it will never never never be the best thing.

Your best time is when you have to use COURAGE to do something different. Courage makes its own space for  extraordinary things to happen.  And the moment you say, “I can’t do it now because…” you stick yourself in the dreaded wasting-time pattern.

You are not getting younger, stronger, smarter, or better by being in a holding pattern. You are wasting fuel. Go forth and do great things today right now right this minute!

Go.