Happy February.
Last month at the general meeting I referenced “If Everybody Did It”, a new book written by Marcia Losh and illustrated by Phyllis Arnold. Essentially, the book invites you to consider the consequence of choice and the influence, impact, and effect one person’s choice has on others – not only on their individual lives, but on their community and the earth as well. It is a beautiful story written for children with a moral for all. We know so well how one choice can change the path of many.
In light of current poitical and social climate I have been thinking about the choices we make and more specifically the choices we make as artists. As artists, we face a multitude of choices as we determine the course of our current project – from composition, materials, color, placement of color or texture, design, perspective and so on. As artists the choices we make in and out of the studio are driven by our creativity, our curiousity, and our personal experiences or perspective. Perhaps it is because we study perspective that we are able to view situations from several vantages points. When not bogged down by our own ‘stuff’ obscuring our view, we are generally open to different points of view. Living outside the box we approach the world from a creative perch.
With choice comes voice. What is the voice of your art? For instance, if you are a landscape painter, are you creating pretty images of the natural world? Or do you remind people of the fragility or conversely the mighty power of that same world? Or do you transport people from their world into the one you created in your paiting, stirring introspection and personal reflection?
As artists, living a creative life, we use our choices to determine the voice of our work. What is your artistic voice? If your focus is about mastery of a medium, technique, or skill – that’s ok. If its about having fun – that’s ok, too. If you have not considered the meaning behind your work, consider this an invitation to do so. I pose this question to myself in my work in and out of my studio and particularly in my leadership position as president of AAG.
We have a great month ahead. Be sure to read the newsletter and check the website for details. Don’t miss the general meeting this month, Tessa Windt will be leading an interactive program on Feb 21 that is sure to be inspirational and thought provoking focusing on the arts and aging. Roger LeBrash will open his blacksmithing studio to the sculptor’s group on February 6. Roger is a gifted artist and businessman, with his son Jason, they own and operate one of the largest blacksmithing shops in the state. You do not have to be a member of the sculptor’s group to attend.
As usual, my perverbial door is always open and I welcome your thoughts.
Have a creative and inspired month.
Tess
