Inspiration

I have often been accused of “Chasing Squirrels “.  My husband has a habit of calling out “squirrel!” When I suddenly change subjects.  I am easily distracted with new thoughts and ideas.  So many ideas.

I saw an artist’s, Teresa Saia’s (https://www.teresasaia.com/) work in Rob Schouten Gallery(https://www.robschoutengallery.com)  in Langley and while talking to the gallery about the work I was told the artist teaches workshops.  My venture into pastels began with me signing up for the workshop at Dakota Pastels in Mount Vernon and wanting.

I can never be Teresa Saia.  I am not trying to be.  Each artist views the world through the lens  of their own life experiences.  Her work inspired me and I will always be grateful for that.  Her workshop taught me techniques that I could use in my own work.  Hearing that she too often hates a piece at some point during the creation process validated me. I find that just about every piece I create I will hate at some moment.  The key is to trust that the moment will pass.  Take a break, walk away, return with new eyes and a fresh perspective whether that is five minutes or five months later.  The path forward takes moving through those moments.  

I am often caught by something around me in life which creates an emotion.  I want to try to capture the feeling as much as the image.  Memories can be triggered by a sound, a smell, a texture.  I find myself suspended in time trying to figure out ways to bring that memory to life in a way that is universal.

Animals are so often the subject of my work because they often inspire the feelings I am hoping to capture.

It took me a long time to embrace my inadequacy, to enjoy the journey of growth. I took a very long pause in my pursuit of art.  Expectations murder creativity for me.  It is unreasonable of me to expect my work to reach everyone.  It speaks for me and hopefully in a language that some will understand.

Art is the road less taken.  It is winding through the countryside rather than taking the expressway.  The journey is the point.  There is no final destination.

A thought, or image brings a memory or a feeling.  The goal is to capture that moment in time so that it may be felt by others.  The goal is expression.  

Not everyone will feel it.

Some might

I hope you do!

All are welcome here!