Saturday, April 23, 2016

So Much To Do

So much to do this week and I am moving quickly from one activity to the next.  On one hand, that's a great thing because everything is interesting to me.  However, I am feeling overstimulated.  I had my grandchildren one day, I worked at The Manse (a historic house in Concord), did homework for my art class, and prepared for the Passover seder at my home tonight.  Most every week is filled to capacity.  We live the life we create for ourselves, so be sure that it's the life you want to be living.   You can always reassess.  Now I have to run to the market.  Here is my favorite piece of art for the week:

Ari and Anika at Artfest

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Flourishing

"Imagine starting your life's work at seventy-two".  This is from The Paper Garden, a biography of Mary Granville Pendarves Delaney, by Molly Peacock.  In 1772, at the age of seventy-two, Mrs. Delaney discovered the art of working with papers and created collage art.  She made the most gorgeous collage flowers, so lifelike that at first glance, people thought they were real.  She was a fascinating woman who led quite an amazing life in England and Ireland.  Until now, it was Grandma Moses who was my role model.  She began painting at the age of fifty-seven.  I've passed that age and now have a new role model.  It is never too late,  and you are never too old to explore new vistas and to discover new facets of yourself.  I am at a most exciting next chapter in my life.  I have little babies to play with and my art to passionately dive into.  As Peacock says "A life's work is always unfinished and requires creativity till the day a person dies.  Even if you've managed major accomplishments throughout your life and don't really need a model for making a mark, you do need one for enriching an ongoing existence."  I pass this along because I so strongly believe that life is constantly unfolding and if you engage, you will flourish.

 Rosa gallica - Mary Delaney


 I have just begun another wonderful Jane Davies on-line workshop.  This one is monoprint collage.  I had to make collage papers using the gelli plate and here are a few examples:


Also, take a look at my pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/jsrd2/.  I finally figured out how to post my own art.  See, it's never too late!

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Posting Comments

Several people have told me that the site wouldn't allow them to comment and I did not know why.  I got a consult and fixed the problem.  I'd love to hear from you.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Mentoring

I had a wonderful workshop experience last Wednesday at the Artists Corner & Gallery in West Acton with Jane Davies.  Jane is a joyful teacher and has been my mentor over the last five years. The definition of a mentor is "an experienced and trusted advisor" and that, she is.  A few years ago I signed up for a one of her online workshops and was not quite sure I ought to be in such an advanced class.  There were artists from literally all over the world - Russia, France, England, and the U.S.  I sent Jane an e-mail asking if she thought I was up to this.  Her response was "Yes, of course you belong in this group.  Jane believed in me and in my potential.  I think this was beginning of my truly seeing myself as an artist.  When someone believes in you, it nudges you into beginning to believe in yourself.  I experienced this as a clinician as I supported and nurtured the people I worked with and saw them flourish and now, in my new incarnation as an artist, I am fortunate to have someone I admire and respect nurture my endeavors.  Mentoring actually goes both ways.  As you give knowledge and support and see someone's growth, you derive pleasure and satisfaction in having been a part of their process.  The unexpected gift is that you learn from them as well as they present new and different perspectives.

Don't forget ArtFestII this coming weekend at The Gallery at Villageworks in West Acton.  I visited the space we will be in the other day and it is lovely - open, light and airy.  There are ongoing art exhibits there.  Here are two of the pieces I will be showing:


 Maya
Acrylic/Collage



Six Vases
Acrylic/Collage