Blog

The Reluctant Blogger

 Well, here I am starting a blog after stalling for many months. Why the wait, you may wonder. Me, too, especially since I love to write, share, and opine on everything from  butter (pro) to  blonde jokes (con).

Perhaps there are two reasons. One, the advice from marketing experts these days is for us artists to blog, write newsletters, and use Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Linkedin, Pinterest, etc. on a regular basis. I feel this is an unrealistic expectation, given all the other tasks we have to do... including paint! Do any of you fellow artists feel this way? 

The other reason I have waited is because I'm not sure how comfortable I am writing an art blog. It's hard to explain my painting process, because when I paint there is an absence of words and "thinking". It's a spontaneous journey that takes place in the realm of the senses where explanations and analyses are rarely considered. When I put paint on canvas I try to get out of my own way and keep it a "primary process" without questioning and judging. This is part of the joy of the whole experience, and when others want me to explain it, I can't possibly find words that will do it any justice. The joy is in this process, as well as in the visual result. It's a dimension where words don't exist, nor should they. 

However, when it comes to people's responses to my (or anyone's) art (or symphony, film, apple pie, etc), this is a different matter. This is coming from us, the viewer (listener, taster, etc.) and I find it fascinating to learn how others think and feel about what they are taking in. We bring our own emotions, experiences, values, and tastes  to the forefront when we respond to these stimuli and I am always intrigued by how varied and at times passionate, these responses can be.

As far as my own painting, I really do like to see people's responses. Do any of you fellow artists hover incognito near one of your paintings at an exhibit to try to catch the comments of the viewers? I confess I have (even looking in vain for the thought bubbles over their quiet heads).

I just had two very moving experiences involving people looking at my work. For Christmas I gave my mother a photo book of my paintings. She opened it up and her eyes filled with tears. It's hard to describe what I felt in that moment, but it was something like... seen. Two weeks later I visited an old friend while vacationing in California and she started to weep when looking at the book of my paintings. I was not expecting this, and I was deeply touched by her response. In that moment  I realized I had created something that moved someone in a profound way, and although this had not been my goal (as it is with many others in the arts), it is now something I consider with greater reverence. I can create and give to others something that is more than simply pleasurable, fun and decorative,... but also transcendent. Wow.

Anyway, I understand not all artists work as spontaneously as I do. And, there are times when my own work is more planned, methodical and deliberate. Also, there some paintings I am able to talk about, and I also share some of my "techniques" with those who want specifics.  I know some artists go into great detail about their art, their feelings about what inspires them, and some even describe in detail what their step-by-step process is. I appreciate it and read it with interest, but it's not really my style.

You know, I wouldn't be surprised to see blogs  from Kandinsky, Henry Miller and Klee,  if they were all alive today. They wrote quite a bit on the subject of art as well as (at least Henry did) about their own struggles and joys with their creations.  This has helped me to step up to the plate and give a blog a try.

And besides, it doesn't have to be all about art. My Friend and Pen Pal Cynthia Adams has an art blog but so far  I think all she has written about is laundry, cats, wine, Comcast issues, weight-loss tips for your physical exam, her husband, wine, cats, and wine.

Sounds good to me.