Year in Review

I have found my voice-

I didn’t quite get all of my resolutions from last year accomplished (like make 50 sculptures) but this year has really worked out wonderfully in a different way. After years of what I’m calling a fallow period with just little starts and bursts of aimless artistic activity I feel the dam has really burst- unleashing things like the peculiar forms pictured above and below-

I think a lifetime of absorbing the world around me has led to the development of a really rich inner world and over the past few months I have been letting it out more confidentially.

For along time I’ve been focused to much on what I’ve led myself to believe artwork should be- an illustration and heavily focused on craft- but working with materials like paper mache- which is essentially garbage- has really allowed me to escape from that construct. Your art should be freedom for you not a tedious chore. And while the painting exercises I’ve engaged in the past, learning about art history and imitating artists whose work appeals to me has helped me to explore mediums and possibilities it was time to branch out-

And branch out I have!

So….. not quite 50 sculptures- but I did get some rather large scale pieces completely finished- not to mention a lot of other works that are now halfway done. I also was very good about the Blotographs (literally blot drawings) I started back in -I think -March maybe- getting about 1 done each week. They evolved quite a bit to -from very concrete forms to very abstract biomorphic abstraction-

So I’ll estimate I got an equivalent of – oh- perhaps 30 sculptures done (?)- resolution #1 for this year is to get at least 35 sculptures completed- start to finish. Yeah and resolution #2 is no procrastinating and finish projects in a timely fashion- not go a third of the way and then lose interest 😊.

3. A blotograph and/or full scale painting every week- totally doable.

4. Exercise everyday- the full “Regime ” 3 days a week. I was pretty good about this in 2019- I can do better in 2020.

5. Take a hike once a month- in different and not necessarily preferable- weather conditions. These are good for the body and soul and serve as a wonderful source of inspiration- which I am always happy to share photos of.

6. Enter art shows or try to get some gallery representation- and apply for grants- I haven’t really done that since right after college when my “fallow” period began- but now I’m getting a solid body of work together and it’s time for it to get some exposure.

I will take a break from these during the month of April for my trip to France- during which I will spend the time absorbing 😊- which brings me to my last resolution- #7. learning Francais- I can read French fairly well at this point and by the time I’m across the pond I would like to be able to read and write fluently and actually understand what people are saying- we’ll see about me being actually able to speak French at all.

A special thanks to my fellow artists/bloggers whose posts inspire and encourage me to be productive in an attempt to keep up 🙂

To finish here are a few shots from yesterday’s dramatic sunset- the last of the years and what I hope is an auspicious sign for la nouvelle annee. Stay inspired- and stay tuned- I have a lot more fun stuff in the works 🙃🤗

Bonne Annee! 🥳🎉🍾