drawing energy

I was wrong about finding my paintbrushes. Seems I conveniently forgot - they are at the x’s. I’m adding it to the list of things we need to negotiate. I don’t know when I’ll find the energy to have that discussion; I get tired just thinking about the prospect. Because it makes me remember. I remember purposefully walking out with nothing after far too many years. A sign, I think, of a person who has had enough…

 

It was a good choice.

 

So - I won’t be painting in oils again, not this week anyway. But I’ve got paper and pencils to draw with, which might be best right now anyway. First though, I’m going to pull out the old laptop and transfer some older pieces (digital concoctions and photos) to this new desktop. Looking at where I’ve been will help to percolate the brain and draw energy (perhaps literally) for where I’m going.

 

  

copyright KAM Smith - all rights reserved 

 

 

It’s time to reinvent life…

I may have (inadvertently) become a liar. I tell people “I’m an artist”. But it’s starting to feel like an odd thing to say. I could find my brushes (they’re buried in a closet). But it has been a long while since I held them. And I have to admit, it’s been too long since I created something new and vibrant - that I care about. Commercial work has been fun, interesting, challenging and rewarding - in some measure. It’s also completely meaningless, I think. Except for the “roof-over-head, dinner-on-the-table” point. The money hasn’t just been nice, it’s been necessary.Not too many years ago, art that was fulfilling to create felt like selfish indulgence. (It may be true, I don’t know and/or haven’t decided…) But commercial “art”? Really, does the world need another ad, brochure, website, perfectly lit photo of Mr. Executive? Society is drowning in this junk. Participating feels like prostituting the soul. Which is a whole lot worse than selfish indulgence. Neglecting fine art to pursue “making a living” seems a mistake. It’s time…

Better than the six o’clock news - 1st post at a new blog…

People always tell me they’re not creative. I don’t believe them. I think they simply have very limited ideas of what creativity is. It takes a good deal of creativity to raise children for instance. How does a person work eight hours, drive one, get the kids off to and home from their day, cook dinner, shop, cook, clean, participate (in church or the boy scouts or softball or art classes - whatever) - day after day after day - without at least being creative enough to keep coming up with the ambition to get out of bed again the next morning?  I bet you’re much more creative than you give yourself credit for. This blog is my next step in a personal pursuit of creative expression.  Of course I hope you’ll visit often. We’re all a bit creative. But we can and should strive to be more so. We just might make the world a better, more peaceful place. You have to admit, artists seem to be good-hearted people. For the most part, we are. Appreciating the beauty of life, even or especially the often overlooked tidbits, not only puts a smile on your face, it warms your heart. Beats the heck out of the six o’clock news, imho. Peace.