The possibility of giving a gift of wellness to a stranger carries me through each day in my studio. It's that possibility I see in each painting - something in my art to bring one to the brighter side of life. Never with anyone person in mind, I sit before my easel and think about those who will give the work before me “a look.”
Each stroke from my brush is placed with the greatest of care in hopes of a smile from a viewer. If I'm getting inspiration from a subject, others will surely be seeing what I see and feel that inspiration. They may simply turn their heads for a glance, some my stop and pause a bit more, and still others will make the connection and feel what I felt creating the piece on the wall. With this belief I work each day at my craft in hopes of lightening a person's day, if only for a split second. Art brings warmth & comfort, and fills emptiness . A pretty girl reading warms a father’s heart and reminds him why he does what he does, a painting of a goat may bring one an unexpected smile, and an abstract brings wonder and perplex at the same time.
Today, a landscape waits for my hand to bring it to life. Somewhere in my head it is forming from past visual experiences. The eyes of my childhood will command my hand, brighter colors are laid out, taller trees will form on my canvas, and brighter, richer greens will invite viewers to roll in the grass, if only for a moment and only in their minds.
We artists have the power to take people places, if only it be to a memory of a place they knew as a child. Water so clear one can see minnows dart about moss covered stones… The child in me is ever present when I am at the easel, whether it be a geranium on my windowsill gathering sunlight, or a young lady posing on my models stand, there comes a child to guide my thoughts and hands as I paint. Letting the child loose is what art is about.
Turned seventy-four yesterday
Turned six today
Hugged myself with color
Bathed myself in memories
Accepted who I am with mistakes
Found myself in others.
Waited for my title at the finish.
