This painting is five years old, but I wanted to post it to show you how I have evolved. There are many elements of my (now evolved) style and I find it interesting to remember where I came from. I was at a good friends studio yesterday and we had a very poignant conversation about creativity and criticism. Lately I have found myself comparing my art to others and if I allowed it to continue it would be the very death of me. We were talking about how important it is NOT to criticize your own and others art. The reason I posted this painting is because there is a part of me that could rip it to shreds. I cannot help but appreciate that I let myself go through this stage. As an artist my learning and "practice" is documented with each new painting. On the other hand a master pianist for example, also becomes great by practice but what we hear is the end result sometimes forgetting... all the time, all the mistakes that got them to that place. As you already know two of my favorite artists are my girls Aleah who is 9 and Eve who is 7. There is such a freedom and freshness in their drawings that can only come through their own innocence. A quality that I have had to fight to reclaim and still struggle to hold on to. I know I have quoted this many times but feel like it is so appropriate here. Julia Cameron said "Remember by being willing to be a bad artist, you have a chance over time to be an artist, and perhaps, over time, a very good one."
4 comments:
M-I love to read your posts. This comment is so helpful. You are really in touch with the mental/emotional side of painting. Art can play so many mind games!
Hey Melissa, sorry I missed your call the other day. It was so good to hear from you. I am doing well; other than the fact that I am tired and sore. Oh well, just a few more weeks. I hope you and your cute girls are doing well. Love you.
I've really enjoyed reading your blog. I know you and your work from Evergreen Framing and Gallery. I was an employee there for about 3 years while your work was there. I've admired your work for some time now...and now I get to hear your experiences via this blog. As an aspiring artist myself I just want to say thank you for you words of encouragement. It really means a lot.
Melissa, though I've posted only one comment (quite a while ago), I do visit your blog regularly. I appreciate your insights and your artwork always brings a smile. Thank you.
Isn't is a comfort to know that we progress with each experience life brings us. Sometimes the progress may be one small step, but on the other hand, it can be that leap of faith. That we are not allowed to be stagnant. It makes life so interesting! And though I agree with you on not criticizing your own work, it is still part of the progression to step back and look for areas of improvement.
I appreciate that you are a girl after my own heart.....holding onto ALL those treasures. (I always tell my husband that if I die before he does, he will be BLOWN away by what I've kept - those hidden treasures for him to discover!) But I believe these treasures help define who we are and it's so wonderful to pull them out to see visually the progression. And isn't it exciting to know it keeps on evolving.
I know I'm rambling - maybe I'm making up for all the comments I haven't left. But before I end, I wanted to thank you for inviting my mom to lunch the other day (I'm Kim's daughter). She shared with me the enjoyable afternoon she had with you.
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