Category: Creativity

Everything you did yesterday makes today what it is. and everything you do today makes tomorrow what it is.

True or false?

false

You can turn at any point and go an entirely different direction. No matter what happens today does not have wreck tomorrow. You just don’t know what is around the corner in the area of possibilities.

When I lived in San Francisco, I found that nothing was permanent. What I learned was no matter how hard one thing was it was not the way it was always going to be. If you keep that in the forefront of your mind you will not despair and you will appreciate it when things are going good. Life lived striving for the best in every situation will be most enjoyable and wonderful and you don’t need to worry about tomorrow.

I have been hearing a lot about doom and horrific economic upheaval ahead of us, Well that may be true but in the middle of the new thing will be a new road we did not see before and I am sure that all things will work for good for those that trust in the Lord. that is the key.

The thing that is sort of hard is selling a painting that has not been around very long. Once I just finished a painting and the gallery owner came to my house and took and and sold it practically the next day. I never even got a picture of her and I wish I had one. That was back in the day of having to take a picture and wait for it to come back from the photographer to see it. Now we can get in image immediately.

I miss the one that got away as it is foggy in my brain after all these years. Everything I paint now is for someone else. David Hockney said that it was sort of sad to not get to be around his new work at all but always it goes out the door.

Your children are always leaving before you can be with them awhile. But that is the cost. They have to leave and make room for more. Take another little piece of my heart now baby.

What happens when you finish the show?  You have to immediately start the next one. So you had a good show.  That lasts for the night of the show. Even while the paint is still wet on the first show, you have to be thinking about the next thing.

It has been my experience that when I am busy painting I can do better paintings right after I just finished a lot of them. Creativity breeds more creativity. Momentum and follow through. “Strike while the iron is hot” is especially true for artists. there is no room for slackers in this profession.

So the next show is a brewing in my brain as we speak and soon it will see the light of day. The goal this year is to get into three more galleries. I am never more alive than when there is the pressure to get it out. Yes and amen to living the creative life. I could not be more in my element. I am flying…

Well the show went perfectly, the crowds were good and the people that I got to talk to were engaging. I especially enjoyed talking to a writer who had just purchased one of my works. I just felt like I had a moment with her. She goes through the same process as me when she writes of course so it was nice to see a kindred spirit.

Also, it was thrilling to meet some old clients who still talk about their paintings. That is what it is all about. sharing what you have been given.It is not about anything else. I do have the greatest job in the world. I can be with other people in a very special way. I love it so much.

I also met another artist at the opening who shows there also. He was very approachable and lively and I enjoyed talking to him. His girlfriend was especially fun to be with and she had the kind of face I love to paint so she will probably be showing up in a future painting.

I wrote my words on the sides of all the paintings and some of the visitors noticed it and were thinking it was a fun addition. We talked about the stories of the women and how we have all gone through some of the things I was writing about.

All in all it was a perfect night and I would say the best artwalk I have ever been on. thank you Seattle for a wonderful night.

I will tell you what an artist wants on the day of the show. We are not marketing paintings, we are marketing ourselves. It is very much opening night at a show when you have to stand by your work and hear what people say about it. or don’t say. Its all very emotional for any artist.

Here is what I would love to happen at my opening. I would be thrilled if someone said they read my blog because if they have been reading for awhile they will pretty much know more about me than most everybody. I would love to have someone say oh I read your blog because I find it interesting. I use what you say to help my life. That would be great to hear. Also I would love to have someone say that they have seen the progression of my work and like the direction I am going.

Maturation is pretty important so it would be affirming to hear that. Also I would love it if a few people really looked at the paintings with thought. I love it when someone stands in front of one for a long time. And yes I wish they would all sell the first night. This is every artists dream. I would cherish someone also coming up to me and saying that they bought something else of mine and still love it. I like to see who owns my work. Because this is a true meeting of souls. buying someones art is appreciating the most deep part of someone. If they get me then I will get them. It is the ultimate meeting of the minds. But usually a lot of people give the work a few seconds glance and move on. and they artist stands there .

Its like you are standing there naked. That is what it is like.

Here is to tonight and a gallery that is my friend to have shown my work for so long.

Cheers!