My knee-jerk reaction is to want to stomp on the cage, or kick it away.
But, instead, I am walking over to shake hands and say hello.
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| newest patch painted onto grid-format work-in-progress |
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| detail from today's patch |
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| in the bigger picture; working title: Core Values |
16 comments:
I see movement,clouds of color, patterns, and textures!
When I started my blog three years ago, I knew I might have an audience but I also knew that at heart my blog was to be a personal documentation of my art life. I knew I would post it all, whatever that art life turned out to be. I am so glad I made that decision, and I am so glad I post what feel like messes, missteps, and ugly/frustrating painting days because I learn so much and get so much, not the least of which is feedback. I am grateful to learn that you see movement, clouds of color, patterns, and texture. I'm glad you made a connection between my mention of a mesh cage and an article you'd seen about string art and sent me the link .
Thank you, Carol!
Your raw, uncensored words inspire me....thank you for being vulnerable in your art. I wish I could describe how much your fearlessness influences me!
Dotty, the combination of the writing about your personal struggles, the art you make, and the 'solutions' of dealing with it all is so worthwhile to me!
Jen, thanks so much for your affirming words. As I wrote to Carol above, I made a conscious commitment to be present to whatever came my way in my art life, and to put my experience 'into the record' (for the legacy I'm not leaving!). I am grateful to have upheld that commitment; I'm grateful for all I've learned as a result, and I'm glad of heart for the side effect of inspiring and influencing others. In turn, of course, you do the same for me, with your open-hearted posts.
I did make good on shaking hands and saying hello to the feelings that came in response to the painting posted above but, as is true elsewhere in life, I don't become fast friends with everyone whose hand I shake!
I am so glad for the light that shines from sharing myself. I was pulled to paint four years ago largely because I wanted to peel away layers and get down to the pith of myself, and in the process to bump into those parts that I either consciously or unconsciously hide. It's not all pretty in there, but there it all is! I have so much gratitude that we discovered each other through our art and are fellow adventurers and helpers of each other as we both express ourselves in image and word, through problem and engagement with problem, and in joy : )
I agree because my blog is for that same purpose. I post messes all the time. Maybe others can learn from my messes. In a WIP its hard to really see the whole picture especially when you post a small part, and things can change at any minute. I am glad of our connection. Off to the Seder Hag Sameach!
Thanks for this additional comment : )
Enjoy the Seder Hag Sameach, Carol!
Reading and viewing your blog as well as reading your responses to others is a gift. I always glean something from your writings and viewing your art. I like to think that recognizing our struggles helps to move us past and on to the next - whatever that is and in most cases something better. Today's patch has a lot to say - on the surface nice bright colours (very spring like), but on closer viewing there is a tightness and tension between the colours, shapes, the collage and marks made. Putting it all out there clears whatever mojo has taken root and sends the negative packing and allows the positive to settle in - there's only so much room - right!? I know this is just the first pass on this core values patch and there will be more 'good stuff'. Thanks for being so open and sharing Dotty!
Darn....forgot to mention the new banner.....love it!!
Janet, thank you thank you thank you for your kind words—your thought-filled responses to my art and writing are gifts to ME! When I can see past my all-consuming pain in any given moment, I am grateful. Acknowledging and naming it helps me to move past it. Even though there may be a limitless parade of discomfort still heading my way, I do like the feeling of having swept clean a space at my feet before moving on!
I appreciate your making note of the tightness and tension you see.
I'm also tickled that you noticed my new banner. It's a painting from three years ago when I was first exploring abstract expression. I later photographed it and had it as a page in one of my Shutterfly calendars. Later still, I tore pieces from the calendar and collaged them into one of my Core Values patches, which you can view in my 3/28/18 "Great News" post : )
I have been told and read (these are the professional artists/instructors words) that discomfort is a sign of growth! From your writing and your painting seems to me you are having a 'growth spurt'!
Oh my gosh, this takes me right back to early parenting when my babies/children would be just AWFUL for days and then suddenly cut a tooth, or speak in complete sentences, or learn to tie their shoes : ) Thanks for the cup-half-full reminder! I'm cutting teeth!
Cutting teeth! Love that Dotty. Another example of why you are so inspiring. You put your soul on display, and even in your struggles you shine like a beacon to those around you.
I see two faces. On is sort of grumpy, but has a rockin' do or feathery hat. The other seems to be looking up, sort of questioning. Knowing that these are purely accidental, it is funny that they are there. ;))
Rock on Dotty!
Oops.... and it is always fun to revisit your previous works. Love how you shake it up with your banners ;)
Sheila, indeed I've put my soul on display (stumbling as it seems to be today) and one of the grand gifts in so doing is that you reflect back what you receive while also shining your own light, and I am lifted. So grateful!
Those faces! Purely accidental, as you knew, and making me laugh. Do you LOOK for such things, or do you just SEE them spontaneously? Either way, another gift to me!
Thanks for your nod to this month's banner. I enjoy shaking up my blog with a new banner every so often. A concrete, doable, success-oriented task!
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