Knowing That I'm On To Something

We had an Open House Sunday for the gallery this past weekend, and during the week before the preparations were steady but also quite manageable--I actually did a new painting during all of this, and a good one, at that. Steve worked and also did ALL of the housework. He has always done a lot of the housework, but this time he was very quick yet thorough and it was clear that his diet and exercise routine are having a positive impact. The vibe around here is palpably more energetic and yet more relaxed.

It was a good Open House, started off slow and then built up as the afternoon progressed. Of course the best part for me was selling one of my paintings ("White Carnations") and getting rave reviews for the new one, plus interest in my assemblages. The new painting is a balance between my pre-Steve style and the style I've been working in as a result of his suggestions to help me break out of my academic rut. This is a common occurence for artists, to muddle along in one way, become frustrated with it, suddenly work in a different style altogether, and then ultimately find the most confidence and appeal in a merging of the two.

This is where the genius loci comes back in, because that's the point from which I am working. There's much beauty and love in the world as well as ideas and ugliness, but ideas and ugliness are not the only things to depict in art. I am a domestic creature and my life has finally enabled me to be a happy soul. Who knows how long it will last? But while it lasts, that is the point from which I am working.

Keeping One's Nerve

It's one of those times after a change in the modus operandi when you catch yourself worrying about things as you would have done before the change. In this instance I'm worrying about not being efficient or agrressive enough about the gallery and the art fair, and then it takes me a few moments to get back into the new mode, which is to pull back from them a bit and stay focused on my own work. My previous sources of income are now eliminated: apartment rental income & landscape design income. But I still want to see if I can make a go of it as an artist.

I do take responsibility for a lot of intangibles, such as contributing to the general flavor of life around here. I'm aware that my attitudes and preferences often make or break seeing opportunities, following up on possibilities, staying focused, or being scattered, all of which have an impact on Steve and his own work. We are a team, even when we are working separately, picking up on one another's unspoken inclinations. During times like these it is important that I stay focused and strong and clear and minimally ambivalent about what I want and what is most important. Crumpling into worrying and dithering isn't going to do either one of us any good. Onwards and upwards!