Petals of Friendship

To be seen by God “Do I believe in God?  Yes!  When I am at work I feel like I am assisted by someone who leads me to do things that are greater than myself, greater than what I have done before.”  Henri Matisse Close to the end of his artistic career, Matisse embarked on creating “The Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence” (Chapel of the Rosary), a chapel in France.  He considered it the most significant work of his career, and perhaps one could say that something outside himself caused him to create this masterpiece.  As I read his thoughts, I am certain there was something more to why he created art of any kind. On the outside, his long-standing friendship with Monique Bourgeois, who he met as a young nurse, engaged and motivated him to take on this work.  Their friendship developed over time and lasted for years.  They remained friends as she became a Dominican nun, and his work took on life and breath when he began designing the chapel.  But was it more than this friendship that moved h

The warning was well received.   My friend and fellow artist, Lisa, encouraged me to submit my artwork for a juried show.   This would be my first attempt at such an endeavor.   Little did she realize she was doing me a huge favor.   She warned me that my work could get rejected and then she explained why.   This didn’t click for me at the time, but it proved to be so helpful when I opened the email from the studio about my submission.   It was a nicely worded rejection notice.   I read it over once, and then a second time, carefully analyzing the wording, trying to read between the lines to find some clue that somehow stamped a grade on my work.   Pass?   Fail?   Then I remembered Lisa’s words.   She warned me that sometimes a style of work doesn’t fit the theme or the look of a show.    Did it take away the sting?   Well, not initially.   I did have a pity party for a few moments.   Then I realized no one else was at the party so it had to end pretty quickly.   The words

When I think about being an artist, three words come to mind...inspiration, frustration and creation.  The creative process starts with inspiration, which can come from so many places.  Internally, it can come from a seed planted in my mind.  Externally, it can come from other art, music, inspirational text, poetry, on and on.  But once that inspiration is planted, it starts to stir inside and then it needs to come out.  But how?  That's the frustrating part for me.  I know what I want to get out, and I work on this goal until I get to where my vision needs to rest.  It's the creative process and that's where I love to be.  It's a journey.  I flow back and forth inside the inspiration and frustration.  But it is movement that is all good.  There is joy in the journey as long as I don't hold on too tight and get too wrapped up in perfection, which kills creativity.  I know when to walk away to let my mind clear so that inspiration takes the lead.  Each day, I see

It's almost July and that means  something new is around the corner for me.  A few  months ago, (with fear and trembling), I put my big girl pants on and approached Gibby's Wine Den in Geneva to inquire about their artist program.  I wondered if my artwork would meet their criteria for the monthly "Art by the Glass" program.  To my delight and true surprise , they said yes!  Mary, the program coordinator, gave me the run-down on what was required.  I would need at least ten pieces to exhibit. Yikes!  I had several pieces, but they still needed work.  She explained that my pieces would be up for most of July and then on the 13th there would be a wine tasting/artist reception.  Music, wine, friends....what could be better?  I'm so excited (and so nervous).  For me, this is really stepping out.  Two years ago, I prayed a little prayer that somehow, I would be able to work part-time so that I could be just a little selfish, to have more family time and time for m