Sharika Roland

I have a friend that pointed out the fact that in all my blogging about my most intimate life experiences I did not mention God. This is not good as God is a big part of my life. Let me tell you how I came to be a christian artist.

First I was always an artist then I became a Christian so I guess that makes me a Christian artist. Christian artists do not have to paint only paintings of Jesus. You can paint what you always paint only you have a different point of view than before.

Before I was a dark painter. I loved to paint violent, upset paintings. I just did. Then I had a baby and painting a lot of pink and pastel paintings. But they were all kind of drippy and without direction and really pretty crude.

After I met the Lord (it was not like I wanted to get to know Him, either) I kept painting just as before but I felt different. Now I cared whether I was offensive and abusive in what I was painting. I wanted God not be be ashamed of me, so I still did the girls only they were the best I could do. I worked much harder because I saw art as my mission. Before it was just blind energy.  Now all my creativity comes from Someone doling it out to me on a regular basis. I still have to do all the exercises to make it come out fast but I do have a constant stream of love that really helps get me through all things.

What if everything you imagined would start to come true the second you imagine it? What would you imagine? This exercise is not without its pitfalls. You have to think it through. At first you would think, “oh boy this is great.” But then you would have to think out the consequences.

Example. I would like to be a famous artist that could paint all day long because there was a big demand for my work.  The consequence is I would lose all my freedom to paint now and I would be in the studio 10 hours a day and I would be on the phone the rest of the time managing my manager. I would not be able to take care of my granddaughter all day anymore, I could not go to Soap Lake unless I was going to paint. You never get something for nothing. It always has a price. I would lose my anonymity.

Therefore what I wish is to have my life just the way it is now. Which is perfect.

WELL.  I know what makes a great show. Its a show that you don’t forget ever because you connect with people on a deeper level than normal. They really really look at your work and really really see your soul and connect with what you saw and fall in love with what you fell in love with. That is a great show.

That happened in Soap Lake. Both of us had that experience with the crowd. They were not just talking to each other and having a party. That is what it is all about. its not the sales because everybody doesn’t have tons of disposable income these days so it is not that.

We are showing them something at a show. It is probably like a band that is playing and everybody is going crazy for what you are playing. They hear your true voice and answer back. Its like that at a great show. Its not just painting on a wall. It is our deepest vision hanging there and that is no small thing to put out there. That is why it is sometimes scary before the show. I think Susie and I had a world class experience.

How do you value a show if you are an artist? Is it selling out, Is it making good connections(read meeting new buyers) Or is it just being aware that you are lucky to even have a show? I choose the latter.

The soap Lake show was amazing in that I met some wonderful people who are so full of stories and life that it is an honor to be with them. Is that valuable? Yes.
I had a chance to show new paintings to people who would for sure not ever see them unless they were brought to them. Is that valuable to them? Yes.
I sold some painting and now some people have me and my soul with them for as long as they want. Are they happy? Yes.
I had the show to paint that I otherwise would not have done unless I had to get this show done. So now I have a finished new body of work. Is that valuable?  Yes.
I got to get away to a place of no stress for three days. Is that worth anything? Yes.

It was a great experience and one I will savor with my co showmate Susie, forever. We did a show together and had a wonderful time. So all in all, it was not New York, but it was great.

Am I blogging for me or you? Why does anyone blog? Who died and made the blogger worth reading?

I was thinking about this the other day and have come to the conclusion that anyone who takes the time to blog is doing it for themselves and others but they are doing it for others to get feedback. this is my life experience but what is yours? This is what I have learned but what have your learned?  Is blogging nothing more than a glorified diary?

If so then I say horray. I love to know what people are really thinking . It is the ultimate reality show. It is very hard to hide your true self on a daily blog. It makes the computer so valuable to connect mentally with others. It is better than a book even because you can respond. I do read other blogs to get information and experiences on topics I care about and to explore new ideas. I don’t think most people lie on blogs. They tell the truth because they need to interaction just like I do. We are relational to the core. Aren’t you glad we need each other?