Why Share My Work?

Serendipity (Watercolor, 4'x3')

Hello Out There!
 
Sorry to have been away from posting for so long. So much has happened - going back for my Masters in Studio Art, pandemics, cancer. I'm fine and still painting. Since the last post, I've also relied more heavily on some art shows, Facebook and Instagram along with News on my website to keep in touch.
 
Instagram? Facebook? Don't use it? Avoid it? Understandable. But being an artist is solitary work. Knock, knock. Is anyone there? For artists, social media is a quick and powerful way to share work, to be seen, to get feedback.
 
Yet, sharing work so publicly can be a very scary prospect. However, I honestly often don't know what to make of some of my watercolors. So, I'll often post them to Facebook or Instagram or do a small fair or even submit a painting for entry in an exhibition. Sometimes, I'll even post a painting as it is in progress (a very crazy thing to do). Why not let folks see the process, I think, for better or worse? And the results are heartwarming. People are kind, or kind enough not to get too critical. It's very touching when what drives me to paint a scene or a more abstract piece, resonates or connects with another.
 
Is that why I paint? To get a ‘thumbs up' from folks? No. I paint because something moves me - a scene, a color, a feeling. It's an internal, often subconscious, conversation about feelings. The result is often a myriad of feelings: surprise, curiosity, peace, excitement, sometimes frustration. What IS this? The internal conversation is often quite critical. So, I often ask you to join the conversation.
 
And, just like a painting may move you, getting your feedback touches me, encourages me to continue. At shows, there are smiles and chats about the impact of the piece, about your own art, or lack thereof, or maybe even the weather. Sharing creates conversation. It offers a break from the sometimes difficult whirling thoughts and talk of the day - yours, mine. But perhaps, more importantly, art itself provides an unspoken internal conversation between you and the painting. And the result might just lead you to have your own a myriad of feelings.
 
So, thank you for your thumbs up or hearts, hugs, smiles, comments, even for no remarks. Thank you for coming to an art show or reception. Thank you for your companionship along this journey. Most of all thank you for the conversations.

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