The Box Theory

This is my little theory on how we live our lives, particularly when it comes to our creativity, but it can apply to many situations.

We are all about boxes....

We live in a box,

We drive a box,

We work in a box,

We keep our belongings in a box,

We even end up in a box!

So....it is easy for us to maintain that box-like mentality throughout our everyday lives.

We find our little box in the world and hunker down in the comfy middle of it with lots of cushy room around us. Everything is nice and safe. Same as usual. How can we grow creatively as individuals? The answer is......

Run to the side of our box, where it is uncomfortable, the fearful area, pushing our boundaries, stretching our abilities.....making our box bigger. Until.....

We break through the box! We did it! Something we didn't think we could do but we surprised ourselves! No longer are we in the middle of that safe, cushy box. Here we are in unchartered territory, exploring new and uncomfortable things where we aren't so sure of ourselves. It's fear that wants us to get the duct tape and repair the hole in the box so we can go back to the middle where it's safe. But fear lies. We don't really want to go back....we are PROUD of ourselves for accomplishing something we thought impossible! Squash fear. Step on it. Move on and UP! There is so much to do and learn outside of our box. But, as time passes, we begin to get comfortable with all the new lessons and a new box forms around us....although a much bigger box. Should we stand in the middle waiting for cushy comfort to form around us again?

Absolutely NOT! Run toward the side and start pushing and stretching those boundaries again! There is no limit to what we can accomplish if we are actively pursuing our passion!

The more I think about this theory, the more it relates at so many levels and with so many situations. Any thoughts?

Showing progress

Progress today.....although I'm taking a break so I thought a blog would be nice. All but the right side of the painting is complete and a few little details. It seems that I lean toward paintings with not so much detail that I can complete much faster. This is really a challenge!

I just heard some good news.....my application was accepted into the Artist Showcase during the Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival October 7-8!! That means I will get to be inside with 16 other artists instead of outside on the street in a tent. I am honored! I will be next to Old Bryan Marketplace in building 202. More later on this when it gets closer. One month away!! Lots of painting to do between now and then. I'm already excited about all the new paintings that will be ready for that show! Several ideas are rumbling around in my head that I can't wait to get started on but first things first.....

September 20th is the Art Council fundraiser where I will painting "live". Celebrating the Arts, An Adventure in Venice will be a fun evening to enjoy good music, art, and food! Viva Venice!!

FIGHTING.

I'm fighting with myself but I'm determined to win!! In a few weeks I will be painting 'live' for the Art Center fundraiser. Yes....I was craaazzzy the day I agreed to this! I decided, to make it less stressful for myself and those living with me..(my hubby)...that I would start the painting and get a good bit of it done before the event. On the night of the event, I can work on parts of the painting I will be more sure about. The theme is Venice so I am doing a scene on a 36x48 monstrosity of a canvas in which I am not enjoying! I think it might be the pressure of the fundraiser looming in the back of my mind to produce something. I love Venice and I love the buildings and water but the picture in my mind is not coming out through the brush at the end of my fingers. Today I am listening to Italian Pandora radio and it's going a little better. It helps to walk away and come back to it with a fresh perspective. I am ready to move on to some other ideas though so I want to finish! After the fundraiser, I will post the finished piece. It's starting to take shape. It's fun to see the progress. I will keep taking pictures. In the meantime......back to work!

Friday Funny

Convictions with foundations

Lately, I have been asked:

Why do I paint the way I do?

It has made me think about what lies at the foundation of my reasons. Do I have a reason I tend to use collage? What draws me to text? Do I have an opinion or conviction for my method? Thinking on this....my answer is "YES!" I have reasons! Realizing this gives me great relief...... (smile, giggle). Things along the way have influenced me subconsciously and appeared on canvas years later.

I have always enjoyed writing, not just the actual handwriting of a person, but text, letters, symbols, fonts. I grew up doodling names in block letters of different shapes and sizes. In painting, I love being able to get close and study the texture and have the secret of a letter or word hidden just under the surface peeking out. I find textures and patterns interesting background. Interesting text and textures cause me to take a closer look to see what secrets lie in plain sight. Mixed media continues to hold my interest simply for the fact that anything can find it’s way onto the canvas. I wish I could remember the artwork I saw as a little girl that used the mixed media technique but I do remember finding small words written in typeface in the background. It was so unusual to me that it made an impression on me that lingers and effects my work now.

Simply put....."Why do I paint the way I do?" because it makes me HAPPY!!

Happy, Happy, Smile, Smile......grin. It's F...U...N...!

My very first PRESS!!

Exciting!!! My very first PRESS!! I was interviewed at The Village yesterday. How Cassie made sense of all my disorganized ramblings, I will never know. But, she wrote a great article and Stuart showcased the artwork fabulously in the photographs he took. You can read the article here at The Eagle.

I am receiving such wonderful support and encouragement locally. This is a great place to be to grow a business. People here want you to succeed. It definitely sets an example to rally around local businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Village Cafe and Art979 Gallery Art Show

The Village Cafe is filled with my artwork!! What a very cool and surreal feeling!!! It was jam packed Friday night for First Friday art walk downtown. It was a fun atmosphere with music and friends. This picture is taken from the back of the cafe looking toward the front door.

These are my newest medium, alcohol ink. I received many comments on these. They are fascinating to look at up close with the vibrant colors and abstract shapes. This is the front of the cafe just as you walk in.

I will be doing more of these for my next show in October.

"Sailing On" right by the front door.

Across from the alcohol inks....

It's really fun to walk in and see people sitting with these paintings!

Great windows all the way down the west side of the building. I think the building is from the early 1900's and still has the original floor. If these walls could talk.....

Towards the middle of the cafe. It took 51 paintings to fill all these walls! The space is long and narrow but there is a lot of wall left even with all the windows.

Dining in Venice.

And even 'Tubin' with Rick.....

The show will stay up for the rest of August. The Village will have a reception for me on the 26th. In the meantime, I am gearing up for the next thing....painting LIVE for the Art Center fundraiser in September.....eek!

Thank you to all those who could come out Friday. And thank you to all who sent encouraging notes and comments!! Hugs!!