Just a Day in Myakka

Just a Day in Myakka

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be out in Myakka for just a day to talk to a group about my work along with a few other Florida artists. It was a fun opportunity, not something I’ve had much chance to do and it was good practice! I even had time to do this little sketch in a field. All in all a great productive day.I realize that I don’t always engage people in talking about my work. Maybe if someone comes by the house/studio and asks I will tell them where something was painted, but then it sort of stops there. Why am I so shy about really engaging people in a dialogue about my work?Maybe I’m not sure what to say really. I end up talking about technical things, like how something is painted, with what palette, etc. But often times avoid the why.WHY I paint something is not always the easy question to answer, and one I’ve been grappling with for awhile as I attempt to write a “brilliant” artists’ statement in order to apply to galleries.The why seems just too simple. Really, something about the light and arrangement of lights and darks catches my eye. If not that then it’s the mood of something. That’s it really, and I fear that this is just too simple and maybe superficial, not deep and meaningful enough. I enjoy painting, even when I feel like there’s so far for me to go in the learning process. Now I don’t always enjoy it and struggle sometimes, but I’ve committed myself to the process, to stick it out and see where I go with it. As a child I didn’t draw or paint much really, no more than the average kid. I loved to make things from clay, make and illustrate books and even the occasional splatter painting was too much fun. Now it’s become something serious that one needs to master and be brilliant at, and honestly I’m a little intimidated. This leaves me always questioning myself (but it doesn’t stop me from working..) and dwelling in the why.Maybe the exploration is why enough to paint. After all, isn’t life just a journey to be explored?