What artists understand and the rest of us often forget.

                Coming from a family full of artists I’m always inspired to attempt arts and crafts. Compared to my grandmother who was an amazing artist with many mediums and my sister who was formally trained at Mass College Of Art I would say I am less than amateur. Sometimes a few of my projects surprise me and I am quite happy with them but more often than not I overwork them so much that I end up disliking them and in the end gesso right over them.

                Recently my best friend and I started doing more art together. He is an extremely talented photographer, graphic designer, musician and artist which is incredibly exciting to me. Every time I see his newly processed photos I notice beautiful parts of a place or a person—nearly every time it is something I would not have seen the beauty in on my own.  

Our recent art endeavors are on what we call “adventure days” where we go somewhere to take pictures together but really, it is him taking photographs and me driving to the destinations. Although he is taking the pictures I feel like his art and the time he takes to look for beauty in specific places and things really encourages me slow down and appreciate smaller things in life so much more.   

Over the past week I made two of my own art pieces. I made one abstract painting with assorted color blocking and a weathered wood finish on top which I then washed over with a rusty copper color. The project I did today is called “My Skyline” which is an orange/purple sunrise over a silhouetted cityscape of buildings that inspire me. Although I am not sure if others can see what buildings are included I made references to cities I traveled or lived in.

Presently I look at the paintings and feel that there are changes I would like to make or techniques I wish I knew how to do but in actuality I think I am sincerely satisfied that I took time out of my life to slow down and appreciate the moment. I believe that the success of artists and the happiness amongst them is because they constantly reflect on the beautiful things around them and genuinely slow down their pace of life to create something not only for them but to encourage others to do the same.

While working on my art piece and writing this new blog I was listening to the Beatles’ Revolver on vinyl and found this quote by John Lennon to be suiting;

                    -A lifetime is so short, A new one can't be bought, And what you've got means such a lot to me.