Blog

Cherries à la Mode

30" x 30"

Happy 2014! So far the New Year has brought northern Michigan a continuation of the chilly, snowy weather of the Old Year. Clearly we have not yet fulfilled our deep need for shoveling and plowing. Yet, the abundance of white stuff offers endless opportunity for painting in my studio and reflecting on my art life—for this I'm most grateful.

Like the weather, my aspirations for this year are not so different from last year's either. My motto continues to be: "Paint First."  I now know from years of experience that I can find a zillion reasons not to paint even when I know how gratifying it will be. For support I regularly turn to the artist's handbook, 7 Habits of Deeply Fulfilled Artists: Your Aesthetic Needs & How to Meet Them. I love this book—like many artists in any media, I see myself on every page!

Today I open it at random to page 39 and read: " The Deeply Fulfilled Artist sets aside culture's notions of success in favor of her own need-based definition. She recognizes her purpose lies in meeting her needs and makes fulfilling artistic needs a daily priority. When called to make art, she says Yes."

As the book explains, I'm not alone. Many people but women in particular, who might otherwise develop their artistic gifts, find themselves distracted by domestic and family concerns. The book reminds me that for artists, a sense of meaning and purpose will elude us to the extent we deny our need to make art, if not every day, on most days. The 2nd Habit of Deeply Fulfilled Artists reads: "Give Yourself What You Most Need." I can begin to imagine a world in which every artist (including me) gives herself what she needs most. How much richer we'd all be if each of us could savor the deep satisfaction of fulfilling our calling!

7 Habits of Deeply Fulfilled Artists also points out that not everyone is called to fulfill their aesthetic needs by making art. Some people love to collect art and enjoy scouting for pieces that meet their need to savor beauty. At times, I wonder where the painting I'm working on will end up, since most of my art children leave home sooner or later.  In 2013 I had the opportunity to deliver my artwork to collectors in the Ann Arbor and Lansing area. While it's always fun to pack up a painting for shipment to a distant city, it's thrilling to help a new owner place the work in the home where it will become part of their life for years to come.

I find it very satisfying to complete the cycle that begins with my inspiration and ends with a collector's appreciation. It's one reason I like showing my work in my own Studio & Gallery—I met several hundred visitors here last year. While I appreciate the so-called art world for the exposure it provides, I've found that I feel more successful when I actually meet and connect with potential collectors face to face. I like helping people fulfill their needs and when someone is looking for art, I love showing them what I've created. And if they just want to look and enjoy, I love that too.

For this artist, looking forward to 2014  is to acknowledge those things that really worked well in 2013—painting, showing and sharing my art. If possible, I aim to go deeper into these things and learn to serve better; and, of course, I intend to keep saying Yes to Art.