 "Byways and Meandering" - mixed media on paper, 13" x 15". Unframed. Inquiries: [email protected] [LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD] Mother said, "Come what may, Follow the path And never stray." [WOLF] Just so, little girl- Any path. So many worth exploring. Just one would be so boring. And look what you're ignoring... From "Hello Little Girl", Into the Woods Here we are, journeying through the forest, when we come to a crossroads. It may be one fork in the road, or perhaps a dozen interesting trails heading off hither and yon. What do you do? It is interesting to be an observer when others are making choices. Some people (take my husband, for example) will want vanilla ice cream every time, no matter how many exotic flavors are available. Others (like one of my sisters) will try the most interesting thing on the menu, even if there is good chance she won't like it, just to experience it once. And then there are folks who really struggle to choose at all, perhaps worried that any choice might end up being the wrong one. It isn't much different with artists. Some of us love to paint the same thing, the same way, variations on a theme for a lifetime. There is a groove we get into, and there is no desire to leave it. Others are experimental, always using the latest medium, support or tool and have a huge repertoire of varied, exciting styles. And some feel pressured to make a choice between one style and another (galleries tell us to choose one style and stick with it - create a cohesive looking body of work) even if they aren't sure yet. I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to choose which path to take, in the woods or in a creative pursuit. Except maybe to make sure the path is the one your heart longs for. Even if your heart wants to sit with the choice for a bit. Following our heart's desire makes us vulnerable, but not doing so is the certain path to regret. There are a lot of voices in our lives advising us which path is best. The authors of Art & Fear tell us "the only pure communication is between you and your work." Whatever your creative pursuit is, you know the best path for you. Sit down with your work and have a little chat. The two of you will sort it out perfectly. Just one more quote from the book, because it made me smile today: "Art is often made in abandonment, emerging unbidden in moments of selfless rapport with the materials and ideas we care about. In such moments we leave no space for others. That's probably as it should be. Art, after all, rarely emerges from committees." Art committees. Hmmmmm. I'm going to take this trail here on the left of the stream. I'll let you know where it leads me. :)
4 Comments
1/26/2017 04:05:55 am
Wonderful piece, keep traveling through the intricate lines and the bold brush strokes. Orange and blue always a winning combination! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about paths and which to follow. Reminds me of the poem by Frost "The Road Not Taken" "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
jen
1/26/2017 06:09:02 am
Carol! Thank you so much! I am not usually an orange and blue girl...but this piece worked out so well with those colors. :) Thank you for the reminder about the Frost poem! I am going to look it up and spend a little time with it this weekend. It has been years! 1/26/2017 06:21:41 am
First, an anecdote. My 10 y.o. granddaughter recently memorized and recited Frost's "Stopping By Woods." The following gem of a conversation took place.
jen
1/27/2017 08:32:22 am
oh oh oh! I am still laughing!!!! What a perfect anecdote! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! The "dry brushing" effect also included salt on watercolor in the first layer of this piece, which really helped with the texture. And we are kindred spirits once again, as I find words delicious, too. :) Leave a Reply. |
AuthorLola Jovan 
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