Some Thoughts on Giving

Earlier today, Christmas Eve, I had a small family potluck gathering at my home.  We were in a festive spirit as we ate my homemade chili and salad, followed by various desserts contributed by everyone. 

After the children had opened presents given them by aunt, uncles, nieces and nephews, I brought out a hugh box of older pictures taken over the years.  Shortly thereafter, a big argument ensued by two relatives of furiously differing opinions as to who had taken a certain picture.  One of the protagonists was particularly loud in proclaiming she had taken the picture.  Almost on the verge of tears, she refused to back down.

Later, after everyone had left, I reflected on how this incident definitely was not in the spirit of giving, as this argument could quickly have been resolved if either party had refused to participate by simply letting go -giving in and giving up on a subject that wasn't that serious.  After all, what was the point?

As I see it, letting go could be seen as a form of giving.  Some other thoughts on giving  relate to: 

Forgiveness - This is probably the most difficult form of giving - more to oneself than the other person.  When you forgive, you relieve yourself of the strain of carrying such a burden.  For me, however, I have to say that while I am capable of forgiving, I don't necessarily want to be looking the other person in the face everyday.  I know, I need to do more work in this area.

Attitude - Based on some discussions I've had, it seems some folks who are doing well materially could develop a healthier attitude toward the less fortunate.  While there are many people who are working to eradicate poverty in America and abroad, we still have a long way to go in ditching the attitude that says, "I've got mine, you get yours."  This is not only unacceptable, it's heartless.


Brotherly and Sisterly Love -  Another form of giving is to accept people who are different from you.  That person is not your enemy.  Uniqueness keeps the world interesting.  Exclusivity is boring and erects walls.  We are not the sum of our possessions, class or skin color.  

I wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!  May we all continue to give to ourselves and to one another! 



   

Artists Who Share

"By its very nature, the act of creating art is an act of giving." 

-georgette

Several years ago, after winning an artist's residency at a prominent local museum, I was quickly deluged with never-ending requests for favors.  Because I wanted to make a positive impression, I really tried to accomodate far too many people in this regard.

Most of these requests were from other artists and people working in various capacities in the art industry.  They invariably were from strangers, and ranged from asking for tutoring (novice artists)  to outright asking for art at a reduced price (potential buyers).  While I was and still am happy to share technical information with any seriously productive artist, learning to respect my work by not selling it short was a hard lesson for me.  As we enter this season of giving, I am clear on the difference between being generous with my work, and protecting my time, energy and spirit- not to mention finances.

As a serious artist, I have learned what I will and will not share, as well as with whom I will and will not share.  I will share any resource information that is asked of me.  I will share any technical information that is asked of me.  I will share information about materials.  I will share my art and my time if I am able to do so (however, how many working artists actually have that kind of time?).  I will donate art to a worthy cause either of my own choosing or when I am asked to do so by a trusted person.

Although it might not be true for some other artists, I have found that making art is very expensive, and I am more inclined to donate my work when at least a small monetary percentage is returned to me.  This shows respect for the artist's time, expenses and the work itself.  In all honesty, I think many people are of the mindset that artists can "always make another one."  But nothing could be further from the truth.  Making art is both a joy and a privilege ,  but also has its share of frustration and tears. 

In keeping it real, most artists I  know are quite generous, and I can trace every milestone in my career back to the kindness of  at least one other artist.  By the same token, some never even share the name of the store where they bought the paper they use, because: 1) They don't want you to use the paper to make a picture that might look great? 2)  They own stock in the company and don't want to make any sales right now?  3) Being selfish gives them a warm cozy feeling?  4)  They don't know why they don't share; it's a habit that has pushed them to the forefront of their profession?  5) Why should they share with you when you should be sharing with THEM?  6) All of the above?

Nothing much more to say about sharing.  It's good to do it whenever you can.  You'll feel good about helping another artist or art lover.  And it takes nothing away from you, depending on what it is.

Ummm, and did I mention that it takes nothing away from you?  Depending on what it is?

Yes, I will share my materials list with you.  No, I will not paint twenty pictures for you for three hundred dollars. 

Above painting: "Gratitude" / Acrylic on 100% rag / Private Collection       


     

Everywhere

Don't dilute the energy of bump and grind
Joy-slapping bodies doing that dance
Always remember what begins in the mind
Is everywhere and might or not bring romance

A cup of java whose flavor makes you sigh
With pleasure because it tastes just right
Or a wisp of hair or a glimpse of thigh
Brings a natural reaction of the same delight

It could be a song that creates a mood
Or a passing image just barely brushed
Or the glancing kiss you both understood
Or the exiting whispers, captured, hushed

Sensuality all in stages of foreplay
Grasped and retained within the mind
Sexuality abounds in any given day
There at whim for you to find

It's everywhere, not only in the dance
Everywhere and might or not bring romance
If your pleasure in all things is never denied
When you decide to dance you will be satisfied!

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

Rewind

For hours, it was, having bled,

Transfusion a strong probability

My countenance pale as the hospital bed

Myself moving backward toward eternity

Alarmed, I felt my soul leaving me!

The nurse's cry for help, strangely transparent

So thin a disembodiment I could feel

I, fading quickly, quite apparent

Transcending now in circular reel

Soul now flown toward dust into dust

 Reversing to birth on a turning wheel 

 Seeking its origin as all we must

Backward move in infinite reel                           

 That passes in slow motion I have found

That passes before our transiting eye

Is simply a circle that is rewound

To play again forward

But never to die

Having come through, I now find

We don't ever leave, we simply rewind.

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

To Youth a Reminder

"Young Warriors"/ Private Collection

Take then, the stinging no
Of life's cruel excess
Knead your thoughts warmly so
Into a softly smiling yes

Take the rhyme, the metaphor
Live facing the sky
Speak the words that crack the door
To every mystery, every why

Embrace the night of things unshown
Speak strong your truth today
Do not die with all you own
Tucked, still, deeply away

Paint the canvas of your pleasure
Sing your brilliant love song
Jump the edge without measure
Each moment, live life long

Speak strong your truth today
Do not die with your life tucked:
Still. Deeply. Away.

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

Note: After viewing the dark, brutally honest yet mesmerizing movie, "Precious" yesterday, I was compelled to post this painting from four years ago, along with the poem that relates to it. As is usually the case, the poem and painting were not created simultaneously. Instead, their similarity match the subject matter and themes of my artistic thoughts.

Night Perception

"Just Before Dawn" /Private Collection

By despair visited, as Hope sometimes is
In circles mulling the problem at hand
Helplessly drawn deeper, no help to enlist
Fruitlessly seeking, finally, to understand
Complexities of such a question as this


Indigo darkness stretched endlessly dense
An enveloping blanket of murky constraint
The question itself developing more intense

Of length unforgiving, of Hope most faint
The slowly passing hours now a lonely offense

Why! Hope cried out, surrounding by night
Feeling her defenses now were gone
Then, the final darkness received the light
Gradually, dawn crept through, she was not alone!
Yet no answer revealed, but that all would be right!

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

The Drive to Paint

My drive to paint stems from my personality, issues related to my childhood and an artistic legacy passed on from my ancestors. These factors partially form the foundation of my artistic bent, but have not been enough in themselves to make me a visual artist. Nor have they been enough to make me return to painting time and time again,. The need to continue painting is more immediate, and is more about responding to life in the present. On the deepest level, I paint as a way of continuing to live day to day. It is a way of communicating with life itself, and talking back to life as life talks to me.

The decision to be an artist was a conscious one for me. In the beginning, my view of what being an artist meant was as rough-hewn as the images I drew. Over time, my vision developed to include both the idealistic and the realistic aspects of art as a profession.

The idealistic pertained more to the process itself. On paper, I could enjoy being as free as possible. My definition of freedom during the art process is less about style and more about being yourself (I strive for order and design in my paintings). Regardless of current trends in art, I could do whatever I pleased - with possible consequences once the work left the studio. But still, enjoying the actual process continues to impart a freedom unlike anything I've known.

The realistic aspect relates to the business of art, including preparation to present one's work, whether to a client or through an exhibition or some other venue. It also relates to such issues as pricing, travel, legal, insurance and personal expenditures, just to name a few.

Regardless of these two factors, I will continue to paint because, over time, it becomes a part of you, attached to your soul. I am one of those artists who paints because I enjoy it, but who also knows the occasional struggles of painting. I love the process of preparing to paint by gathering supplies, and preparing to generate imagery from the thoughts germinating in my head. I love the act of loading a brush, placing it on paper and entering another world. My world. As I see it.

Yes, the making of art is often a way of coping with life's disappointments by purging one's feelings, which is also true of writing and other artistic pursuits. But it is also a place to come, where who you are is reflected back to you. And that is, invariably, a worthwhile pursuit.

Title of Painting: "From a Dream #3"/ Acrylic on 300 lb. watercolor paper

Of My Body, Forgiveness

This painting, "Of My Body, Forgiveness," recently sold at the National Kidney Foundation auction. An acrylic on canvas rendering, it is no longer in my possession, and for that I am grateful. I am a professional artist, and have been never been one who wants to keep all my paintings for myself. I own them fully during the painting process - they are my children at that time. But like all good children, they must leave home once they are grown.

Good Things for the Autumn Soul

"Objects of Healing #I"

Lighted candles on a cold night. A warm bath late at night. A new hairdo. A cup of hot cocoa and a good book. Viewing a book of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh.

A long drive along a Michigan highway as the leaves are turning colors. Tickets to watch your favorite sports team play. An excellent meal enjoyed with people you love. A walk along your favorite nature trail. Viewing a book of paintings by the German Expressionists.

An unexpected call from a long-lost friend. New sheets and lots of pillows for your bed. A bedroom sanctuary. A personal altar for praying and meditating. Being "rained-in" with everything you need and no place to go. Viewing a book of paintings by Joseph Holston.

Viewing great art. Listening to jazz or classical music. Listening to any music you love. Reading favorite poems. Burning incense or potpourri. Enjoying a massage from your partner. Making love that has developed to a level of genuine intimacy and spirituality. Viewing a book of paintings and sculpture by Elizabeth Catlett.

Watching the sun come up after hours of meditating or reflecting. Viewing a full moon while visualizing your best life. Visualizing your best life in a chosen sanctuary. Viewing a book of paintings by Paul Cezanne.

Taking a special vacation day to do any or all of the following: Viewing the movie "The Scent of Green Papaya" (it is a feast for the eyes). Cooking a great meal for yourself and a loved one. Healing yourself with a Reiki treatment. Dancing by yourself. Shopping all day. Painting or drawing (even if this is new to you, have fun with it).

What good things do you enjoy giving your autumn soul? Or your "any-season" soul?

Because of Love

Today I nutured the front porch flowers

Then set a special tea to brewing

And polished the foyer floor an hour

And felt all was worth the doing

The fireplace mantel looked most charming

From avid attention given it

The entire abode taken to warming

Brought alive by one who loves it

The table set, the food cooked

For me is a measure of self-esteem

Here nothing of comfort is overlooked

No bother or burden as it might seem

Because it delights me, I am generous to you

Being of service is not a chore

There are so many wishes to grant you

And so little time to do much more

Because of love, I extend kindness

Expecting only what you choose to return

It is said that love dwells in blindness

But today's lesson is not my concern

My reward is in pleasing you today

No equal to all you have given me

And should our bond break away

I will be glad our love was free

If I must, I will move on

With memories to tide me

Even as one, I won't be alone

Knowing you have loved me

Free because of love given me

Because of love given, I am free

Copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

Note: There are seven new Haiku poems on the sidebar

About Anger

"Anger" Private Collection

"A good anger acted upon is beautiful as lightening and swift as power. A good anger swallowed clots the blood with slime." -Marge Piercy, Author

"...because I don't keep a lot of shit bottled up inside me." - Tina Turner, Entertainer

My painting, "Anger" is a depiction of the many faces of that emotion, and was painted as an expression of one part of the grieving process when my mother passed on several years ago. She died in 2002 and it was 2007 when I painted some of the emotions I felt at that time, including anger.

It is an emotion that I allow myself to feel, but which - depending on the anger - am thoughtful about how I express it. Some anger is hot and fast, rising quickly to the surface before you have time to think about it, sometimes causing you to react in ways you might later regret. This is the type of anger we have to step back and think about. It is good to do so because such anger often leaves as quickly as it comes. This is the type of anger that I'm most likely to feel when I'm driving responsibly in traffic and another driver is aggressively tailgating, or when I'm dealing with rude service people in public.

Another type of anger is the kind that stems from having strong emotions about a particular situation, remaining intense over time. Trying to supress it only makes it worse. In order to best handle it, you must admit that it exists. Anger withheld is anger denied, and anger denied is a form being dishonest with yourself. Anger denied can lead to physical illness or make you mentally become a person with "issues," which are often obvious to those around you, but not always obvious to you.

In my lifetime, I've only heard two people say they have never been angry. I'm still wondering how this is possible - how do they do it? Because we are human, it is normal to occasionally feel anger, regardless of whether we show it or not. Rare is the person who never feels anger about something, be it a job promotion that was given to someone else, betrayal by a friend or a reckless driver who cuts you off in traffic. If someone never feels anger , I would wonder if they were out of touch with their feelings or if they were emotionally numb most of the time. Perhaps such a person thinks it is wrong to feel anger.

How do you handle anger? Do you feel it is unhealthy to express anger?

Note: Although I promised to post "The Pleasure of Paper/ Part II," I am not quite ready to do so because of technical reasons. Please bear with me.

The Black Man Talks of Reaping

This poem by Arna Bontemps is one of my favorites from the Harlem Renaissance Period. It is one I have read many times, enjoying it more each time:

I have sown beside all waters in my day
I planted deep within my heart the fear
That wind or fowl would take the grain away
I planted safe against this lean, stark year

I scattered seed enough to plant the land
In rows from Canada to Mexico
But for my reaping only what the hand
Can hold at once is all that I can show

Yet what I sowed and what the orchard yields
My brother's sons are gathering stalk and root
Small wonder then my children glean in fields
They have not sown, and feed on bitter fruit

Arna Bontemps, 1902-1973

Warrior: Archetype of the Artist

It has been said that the written word is mightier than the sword. I agree. Anything documented, whether imagery or words, has a sense of finality about it. Perhaps etched in stone? Maybe that is why, during previous war times, the artists and intellectuals were the first to be imprisoned or banished.

Written words and imagery often carry a lot of weight, with the ability to influence both consciously and subconsciously. It is for this reason that certain imagery could possibly be considered propaganda.

An artist's imagery is his sword, as is a writer's words. Whether we understand or not the subject matter, looking at a documented work can sometimes seem as powerful as the actual creation of it, particularly if our emotions are engaged. That is how I have sometimes felt when viewing great abstract art, where my connection has often been more on a primal level rather than a cerebral one. The warrior-spirit of such works shine through strident and strong.

The warrior is the archtype of the artist because of his courage in using his sword, among other reasons, I'm sure. He knows that he takes a risk each time he uses it. Rarely does he use it recklessly. It is drawn with forethought and purpose. It may be drawn to document, teach, report, deliver a message or simply to share beauty or impart wisdom.

The warrior is essentially peaceful. He is a leader in the quest for harmony, and rarely seeks out enemies. Most likely, he chooses his battle based on the force of his need to express, as well as the content of the subject matter. In seeking to achieve harmony throught the art principles and values of line, form, color, balance and shape, the artist-warrior makes his mark and hits his target, either multiple times or a few.

Being artist-warriors, even the most passive-appearing artists are vociferious in alternative ways, aware of their freedom to speak through their avenue of choice. Moreover, they are confidently aware of the powerful warrior spirit that dwells within, unleashed time and again with positive purpose, having its say. Making its mark.

Acceptance

Acrylic on paper Private Collection

True Friends

Acrylic on paper Private Collection

Buoyancy by Rumi

*This poem is dedicated to my friend, J. I promised to post a Rumi poem on the sidebar, but the one I chose was quite long, so here it is, presented as a new post.

Love has taken away all my practices

And filled me with poetry.

I tried to keep silently repeating

No strength but yours

But I couldn't.

I had to clap and sing.

I used to be respectable and chaste and stable,

but who can stand in this strong wind

and remember those things?

A mountain keeps an echo deep inside itself.

That's how I hold your voice.

I am scrap wood thrown in your fire

and quickly reduced to smoke.

I saw you and became empty.

This emptiness, more beautiful than existence,

obliterates existence, yet when it comes,

existence thrives and creates more existence.

The sky is blue. The world is a blind man

squatting on the road.

But whoever sees your emptiness

sees beyond blue and beyond the blind man.

A great soul like Mohammed, or Jesus,

moving through a crowd in a city

where no one knows him.

To praise is to praise

how one surrenders

to the emptiness.

To praise the sun is to praise your own eyes

Praise, the ocean. What we say, a little ship.

So, the sea-journey goes on, and who knows where!

Just to be held by the ocean is the best luck

we could have. It's a total waking up!

Why should we grieve that we've been sleeping?

It doesn't matter how long we've been unconcious.

We're groggy, but let the guilt go.

Feel the motions of tenderness

around you, the buoyancy.

Rumi, 1207-1273

The Pleasure of Paper / Part I

"The Night Before Surgery" Acrylic on Saunders Waterford

Canvas or paper? Each time I develop an image, either mentally or through sketching, with the purpose of beginning to paint, that is the question I ask myself.

While canvas is certainly more popular to art buyers than paper, I absolutely adore the absorbency and resiliency of paper. In addition to allowing a larger variety of techniques than canvas, paper is much stronger than it appears. These are just some of the reasons I love working with paper so much.

My love of paper began several years ago when I began experimenting with several different brands and types, finding a few that have become favorites over the years.

For a variety of works, I love Aquarius II paper because of its strength and versatility. I can decorate it, do calligraphy on it or complete paintings on it. It is a soft, strong paper that absorbs multiple layers of color very well. The trick to achieving a substantial-looking matte finish is painting extremely thinned opaque white coats between each layer of color. Contrary to popular belief, this will not dull your colors. They will remain vibrant if the white coats are applied extremely thin. Aquarius II paper gives this technique a strong look on a soft paper. Bear in mind that I'm using acrylics in a manner similiar to watercolor.

Decorated Aquarius II paper is the absolute best for using as covers for handbound books. The entire process is a joyful experience from choosing a decorative technique for the cover to actually putting the measured cover onto the book. The very first handbound book that I presented to the public was a labor of love, selling at auction for a price well beyond my expectations.

For painting, traditional watercolor papers are my first choice, although I sometimes use acid-free boards, as well as canvas (see my painting below, "Within My Heart, I Give Thanks"). These papers include Kilimanjaro, Twinrocker, Arches and Gemini (which never fails to result in a lovely finish). Both Gemini and Saunders Waterford are my favorite papers for painting. The Twinrocker is magnificent, but expensive - and rightly so, as it is in a league by itself.

I also like the Canson MiTentes papers - another work horse, as well as printmaking papers such as BFK Rives and Stonehenge for calligraphy or decorating to use for collage. Because I like to control every aspect of the creative process, all my collage papers are handpainted. Over the years, I have accumulated large boxes of painted papers which I have often shared with other artists. I have also used these papers for paper weaving, collaging boxes and creating colorful paper mobiles. Other papers used include a multitude of rice papers and unsual textured papers.

In future posts, I will talk about some of the techniques I have used for decorating and altering paper. As soon as my photographer friend arrives, I will be posting calligraphic and collage work as well as newer paintings.

"Within My Heart, I Give Thanks" Acrylic on Canvas

My House #3

On a perfect day, the stairs

are easy to climb

My steps softened by
the smell of mint
The sublime comfort
of the living room
Complete in its colors
of invitation.

I need go no further
for love.

Still, into the kitchen

Familiar things
are found brighter
this perfect day
Where polished pots know
what to cook
Where varied vegetables
bake by themselves.

Where the kitchen's warmth

radiates throughout
Where beauty reigns
on this perfect day
Filled with memories of
visits and laughter
Of lovers, friends
and family.

I need go no further

for love

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

The Necessity of Beauty

Note: There are seven new Haiku poems posted on the sidebar.

This post was inspired by my recent visit to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens here in Ann Arbor, particularly the section of tropical flowers, plants and trees in the conservatory. Thriving in a simulated environment of high humidity among a fountain of Koi fish and natural rock paths were all manner of bougainvillea. There were far too many names to remember. However, I did remember the Sausage Tree in the tropical section and the Jade Tree in the desert section. On the grounds, some of the trees that captivated me were the Kousa Dogwood, Paperbark Tree and European Hawthorn.

I was unprepared to be completely overwhelmed and in awe of the breath-taking beauty before me. The sense of joy I felt was mentioned in a nearby sign regarding the miracle of the natural world, punctuating my feeling of being in the midst of a unique experience.

New acquaintances here in Ann Arbor had urged me to go see the gardens, but I never seemed to find the time. I am so glad that I went there, because I felt peaceful and happy the rest of the week.

Being among such wonders makes me think about how important it is for us to view beauty on a regular basis, and how necessary it is to our well-being. While it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, few would disagree that the beauty found in nature is exceptional.

Some other things I find beautiful are: A baby's smile (especially when received across a crowded room); the form of horses, cats and dogs; people (especially when people-watching); a well-tailored garment; a lovely piece of fabric; a beautiful room; a fine painting; classical music, and of course, the form of a tree. No two trees are alike, with the texture of the bark, the configuration of the branches and the color of the leaves making each one unique. The same is true of people.

God made each person unique. It is this uniqueness that I find so attractive, as most people are physically beautiful. If you get to know them, the nature of their spirit show in their faces, revealing their inner selves. Perhaps one of the reasons we become artists is because we find beauty in so many things.

"Thank you, God, for beauty and for allowing me to appreciate beauty every day. In many ways, it makes life better."

The Week in Gratitude #3

- I am grateful for waking up this morning knowing that I have not mistreated myself or others through unkind words or deeds.

- I am grateful that I don't mind whispering "I love you" to myself when necessary. Try it sometime. It feels good.

- I am grateful for my art. Creating it makes me feel empowered in an uncertain world.

- I am grateful for the other artists I have met on this blog, and look forward to meeting more.

- I am grateful for the family and friends who visited my space yesterday. We had good food and good fun. It was a blast, ya'll - I needed that.

- I am grateful that I am finally learning to live from moment to moment.

- I am grateful for music. It is the flip side of art.

Why Equals Make the Best Friends

Long before I heard the adage, "Equals make the best friends," I had thought about it and had come to that exact conclusion. Whether romantic, platonic or between artists, I believe there is one factor that would make two people equal in a relationship. That is security. Regardless of mutual interests, same social class or traits other than security, this factor must be present in order to develop a healthy friendshp based on equality.

Foremost, I would define security as possessing the ability to let the other person be themselves while being comfortable with one's own self. This would mean that you would be accepting of the other person's dreams, goals, skills, idiosyncrasies, general lifestyle and personality. You would respect the other person without feeling inferior or superior. The relationship could not thrive if either of the latter were present.

A secure person has no need to control his/her friend, and is not envious or needy. Again, this is true of platonic, romantic or artistic relationships. Even though art can be a competitive field, one is threatened neither by the quality of his friend's work nor the success of his career. Commonly, friends support each other.
I chose security as the determining factor because many other vital characteristics stem from this particular trait - namely trust, respect, integrity, honesty, and most importantly, self-esteem. These are all vital to a healthy friendship entered into by healthy people. While I would say that two unhealthy people could certainly have a lasting, unhealthy friendship as equals, I am not interested in discussing that type of equality......at this time.

Most of my platonic relationships have been with other women. Although like most women, I have experienced the occasional "girlfriend" who drains you with her insecurity, I feel extremely fortunate to have formed lasting friendships with women who are strong, independent, loyal and accepting of our differences.

Because of the nature of romantic relationships, where people often become enslaved by gender roles, it is not always so easy to achieve equality. Still, I have witnessed that some men are absolutely wonderfully secure in a relationship, treating their partner/friend as their equal.

Regarding relationships with other artists, I have established friendships with both men and women who are very good at what they do, have confidence in their abilities and again, recognize and accept the differences between us. However, this has not been true across the board. For the most part, I am glad to say that I view all of my artists friends as equals. Generally speaking, I am also interested in most artists' work.

Sonnet for New Books

Right now, these books, new and pure

Doctorow, Walker, Wharton and all

My ravenous eyes succumb to their allure

Pleasures anticipated within their call

Lovingly, I touch their jackets, their pages

Savoring each word, each delectable bite

With each chapter, my hunger rages

So expansive, my cerebral appetite

In them I lose myself, most concentrated

Devouring each one, feast by feast

Consuming their texts until sated

Myself becoming the books I eat

Right now, new, with their lovely spines

Once read, loved, these books become mine!

Copyright,2009,Georgette Jones

Recommended Art Book #1: Sonia Delauney, The Life of an Artist/ A Personal Biography Based on Unpublished Private Journals

Sonia Delauney was the wife of famous abstract artist, Robert Delauney. Born in Odessa in the Ukraine in 1885, she painted in a style called Orphic Cubism. Additionally, she designed costumes and dresses for commercial venues. Because she was one of the main supporters of her husband's career, she did not promote her own paintings until after his death. She finally gained recognition for her work in later years. She died in 1979 at the age of ninety-four, continuing to paint until that time.

This was one of the best biographies that I've ever read about a woman artist. I identified with Sonia because I started my own art career late - at age forty, and although I have sold hundreds of paintings, I have found the going steady, but slow. I enjoyed the book because it presented so many details about Sonia's life, and for the wonderful color plates of both her and Robert's work. There are also many black and white photos of the couple's everday life. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading famous artists' biographies.

The Week in Art#2

"Objects of Affection Series"
*Note: There are seven new Haiku poems in the sidebar, as well as one sent to me by my friend, Lisa.

- Deciding to re-schedule my Open Studio Show to a later date was a tough decision, particularly since I've already put so many long hours of work into its preparation. But I'd rather do it right at a later date than do it on schedule with naggings doubts about what didn't get done. In addition to creating new work for the show, I've had to wear many hats for other tasks. Rather than complaining about who didn't follow through in helping me, suffice it to say that my favorite adage right now is, "If you want it done, do it yourself." That said, I'm feeling pretty good about my decision right now. I will post the new date once I decide when it will be.

-This week I completed two small paintings and two small collages on canvas. The latter had been in the making for a few weeks. Being a compulsive brush wielder, I find it easier to put aside a collage than a painting.

-Found a lovely Grumbacher #4 acrylic brush this week. A new brush is a wonderful thing, but mine tend to wear out fast, even the good ones.

-I love older music. Songs that helped me make it through the week: "Sultans of Swing"/Dire Straits; "My Dear Life"/Sadao Watanabe; "My Dearest Darling"/Etta James; "Dreams"/Fleetwood Mac; "Suzanne"/Nina Simone.

The Week in Art #1

- Finally, I visited a park that I had been meaning to visit all summer. Finding it so wonderful and beautiful, I returned a second time later in the week with a friend. What are those trees thinking while being guardians of the earth?

As I relished the variety of trees, unusually lush foliage and quiet river, I had a strong desire to buy a new sketchbook,returning to draw some of the imagery that captured me. Being there reinforced my feeling that a landscape artist dwells within.

- Cooking is an artistic experience for me. This week I made a lovely chicken vegetable soup to have on hand so that I won't have to bother cooking every day while painting. My impromptu recipe included boiled, chopped chicken breasts, carrots, celery, mushrooms, onions, cream of chicken soup (thinned with water), fresh tomatoes, broccoli and a sprinkling of rice. Great with a good bread, preferably a thick, multi-grain one. Very satisfying. And healthy.

- Music is essential to the art process as well as everyday life. Enjoyed while driving and while painting: "Night Time is the Right Time" / Ray Charles; "Someday My Prince Will Come" / Miles Davis; "Love Letters"/ Ketty Lester; "Lesson Learned"/ Alicia Keys; "Autumn Leaves"/ George Shearing; "Poinciana"/Ahmad Jamal

- The biggest highlights of my week were cobalt blue, payne's gray, titanium white, cobalt green and burnt sienna. Perhaps boring for some, but pleasant for me.

My Top Ten Inspirations for Creating Art

Feel free to share yours!

10. Visiting new places
9. Reading poetry
8. Viewing great cinema
7. Being in a self-conscious state of love
6. Chopping vegetables ( you heard me right).
5. Dreaming
4. Reading famous artists' biographies
3. Listening to music
2. Viewing other artists' work
1. Being in nature

Note: My article, "Discovering Your Voice by Experimenting" and images of my art are featured in the September issue of the Strathmore Artists Papers Newsletter. The publication can be viewed online in PDF format. Hope you enjoy it!

This week's featured painting, "Life Clippings #1" is an acrylic on rag painting. Rendered in a collage style, this work is meant to resemble torn papers, which in addition to my frequent imagery of cups, is a commentary about life. This painting depicts the constant states of being, sleeping and watching. It is housed in the Velma A. Walker Collection in Huntsville, Alabama through Birmingham A&M University.

Balancing Solitude and Socializing

This past week found me in the company of others almost every day, all day, both businesswise and socially. At day's end, every night last week, it seemed, I feebly struggled to paint while my body protested, "No, no! I want to rest! Give me rest, silly woman!" Being no fool and knowing I had
pushed myself too far, I quietly put myself to bed each night, wishing to sleep at least fifteen hours. But I can only do six at a stretch, ya'll.

Now, I know some folk who are definitely in their element being in a group as much as possible, but I simply am not wired that way. If I don't get regular time to be alone with myself, I become snarky, snappy and sluggish. I welcome solitude, enjoy it and am quite productive when working alone.

An introvert? Nah. Definitely an extrovert who is introspective, silly and sensitive. I love giving parties, being in crowds and conversing with new people, but there must be a balance of solitude if I am to be happy.

My solitary activities not only include sleeping, but painting (of course), thinking about painting or doing some other enjoyable activity, such as cooking, watching a good movie, listening to music or simply curling up in a chair and reflecting. When I do these things, I feel refreshed and relaxed.

I feel that we need to share our time by being in the company of others, yet we also need time to be alone with ourselves.

It's not always so easy to carve time for myself because of mundane tasks that must be completed, and because the business of being an artist sometimes demands more time than I want to give.

I am curious to hear how others balance their social lives with time spent alone, and how important is solitude to you?

Spirituality, Love and Art / Part IV

In saving the best for last in this four-part series, I chose love because it is the glue binding this particular subject matter. Yes, love is the strongest component of spirituality and art. It is both the motivation and the expression, as manifested through practice.

Strictly and quickly from my first mind, I view love as a combination of compassion, commitment and communion. Compassion because love allows you to acknowledge the feelings of others. Commitment because love is a choice we make. And communion because on the most fundamental level, love allows us to see our connection to other human beings, as well as other living things.

When I say that I cannot thrive without love, I mean it. This is why I chose at a relatively young age to do the work of developing myself spiritually - a life-long and never-arriving quest. The good news is that I get to know love by choosing to give it through my thoughts, words and deeds.

Regardless of whether a handsome, loving man is in my life, I still am able to experience love by showing it. In doing so, it is invariably reflected back to me. To family, friends, children and animals, I extend kindness, laughter and concern. No less than this, but also a deeper, passionate sexual intimacy is what I extend to a committed and romantic relationship with the man of my choosing. No less than the love shown to others, but also a different passion and intensity is what I bring to the art process.

It is true that when rendered from the heart and soul as well as the intellect, the making of art is essentially an act of love. It is the giving of one's whole self to the conception and birth of a vision. That love is returned in both the completed work and the appreciation of the viewers. This is what makes art such a satisfying pursuit, a feeling that sends artists back to the drawing board time and again.

If love was a more open and benevolent pursuit in our society, our problems would be fewer. I believe that many of the seemingly insurmountable political issues we are now facing are inter-related signals of inevitable, yet necessary change that must occur if humankind is to survive. Our disregard of nature and other human beings is disregard of our spiritual selves, our loving selves. When viewed through critical thinking, it is obvious that this disregard is the crux of every political issue we now face.

Our daily lives are more enjoyable when we practice spirituality, give love (receive) and do work we love. I have found that I am happy when I find small pleasures in life rather than obsessively seeking the "big thrill," whatever that might be. Even in the midst of doubt or worry, I now find that I am able to enjoy the pleasure of a new flower, a note from a friend or the the funny look on my cat's face when she yawns and stretches simultaneously.

In this last post of the series, I realize there is so much more I want to say on the topic. But I probably would have to write a book to do so. Basically, I feel that spirituality, love and art are inter-related and I hope my posts have adquately expressed this.

My next post: "The Balance of Solitude and Socializing"

Spitituality, Love and Art/ Part III

It has often been said that art imitates life. While this adage refers to subject matter of art relating to life, it has been my experience that the actual process of making art imitates life, particularly in the area of spritual development. The process of making art sometimes mirrors the struggle inherent in developing oneself spirititually.

I say this because, like life, the making of art is not always seamless or effortless. More often, it is about having an idea or vision and then struggling to bring that vision into being in the form in which it was conceived. This happens even when you love painting as much as I do.

Throughout the painting process, my emotions might range from joy and excitement to frustration and questioning, the same as with life. I have found this to be particularly true during the crucial last stages of striving to resolve a painting. The interaction between my technical knowledge, emotional responses, the responses of the paint itself and my brush strokes are a continuous balancing act. Any snags are most likely to occur toward the end, as I am seeking to achieve harmony of vision.

I admit that there have been times when I have painted pictures without any struggle whatsoever. But there have also been times requiring much looking and questioning, much putting aside and returning later.

In choosing to live a life of conscious spiritual development, that is, doing the internal work necessary to become a better person, I "go back to the drawing board," as it were, many times to seek answers from my higher self relative to daily life. As is often the case with art, no answers are forthcoming.

In explaining these similarities, it is not my intention to give a pat answer. There is much more that could be said on this subject. However, time and space does not permit me to expound. I will say that six months was the longest time that I've put a painting away and come back to resolve it. The solution was simple, but I needed to distance myself from the work. That particular painting won an award, by the way.

The longest time I've ever struggled to resolve a spiritual question within myself was about the same length of time as I tried to get along with a co-worker whom I disliked. Once I told myself that I had no answer, and decided to simply detach myself (politely), I realized that I had actually found the answer.

The last part of this series is about love as it relates to spirituality and art.

The Week in Gratitude #2

I am grateful for the following:

- My granddaughter's visit last Sunday. If not for her, we would not have walked to the pool and enjoyed ourselves for almost three hours on a hot, muggy afternoon.

-Having the energy to get lots of tasks completed this past week. I still have lots more to do before my Open Sutdio Show.

-Not worrying this week. Although there is lots to worry about, I simply did not do it, and my body thanked me.

- The August issue of "O" magazine, a gift subscription from my daughter. There was a wonderful article about a Washington, D.C. woman who collects African-American art. Wonderful works. Great article.

- The thrift shops I found here in Ann Arbor last weekend, especially loved the unusual items. I enjoy decorating with both new and old things.

- All the outstanding artists' websites I recently visited. Viewing the art of others is exciting. Some of the calligraphy artists' works blew my mind. I went to some unpacked boxes and pulled out several works of framed calligraphy that I have never shown. I was pleased with them, and plan to hang them at my Open Studio Show.

-These songs made me happy this week: "Baby, Can I Hold You Tonight?"/Tracy Chapman; "Love"/Sugarland; "Summertime"/Miles Davis; "But Not for Me"/Ella Fitzgerald

Spirituality, Love and Art/ Part II

Over ten years ago, I worked on a collaborative art project with a man who often mentioned his strong faith in God. I recall once asking him if his faith ever wavered, and he said, "no." When I asked him why this was true, he said it was because everything he had ever asked for had been given him. Although I didn't question him on what he had asked for, I was amazed that he felt his faith had never faltered, because mine sometimes does. I attribute this to the fact that I am human, and therefore fallible.

For me, it's easy to practice my spirituality from the inside out when everything is going well in my life. Small daily trials incessantly present themselves, but are smoothly navigated and more often than not, forgotten. However, there are three areas that I see as presenting major spiritual struggle. They are the inevitable emotional conflict following the loss of a loved one, acceptance of the realm of mystery accompanying one's belief in God, and lastly, overcoming specific spiritual contradictions within oneself.

Of these three, I see the latter as presenting the greatest struggle. I feel it is difficult to overcome spiritual contradictions within oneself for the following reasons, among others:

1) Failure to act upon one's initial prayer or intention 2) Either deliberately or subconsciously choosing to ignore the truth available within oneself 3) Asking God to help you and then trying to take the reins from him/her 4) Asking God to help you and refusing to do your part (see #1) 5) Forgoing the necessary work of developing yourself so as to be fitted to the dimensions of your request (How can you request something that you are not prepared to handle? Example: You have asked God for a mate who is honest, kind and loving, yet these traits have not been exhibited by you.) (Recently, I read somewhere that we can only expect to receive what we already possess in some capacity.)

It seems that living on this planet earth would make bouts of spiritual struggle inevitable. This is particularly true of situations where one's faith is tested, as happened to me seven years ago when entering the hospital for major surgery of high risk. Having constantly prayed fear-filled prayers for endless hours, I grew weary of the fear, finally letting go of it. I simply could not hold on to it because it was too exhausting. I could try to tell you what the letting go felt like but the only word that comes close is "freedom." Yet I think the struggle was necessary in order to arrive at that point.

In my next post, I will talk about how the painting process often feels like spiritual struggle.

The Week in Gratitude#1

- I am grateful for letting go of stress this week through right eating, right thoughts and right actions, despite the ongoing obstacles of my lifestyle.

- I am grateful for being able to view nature every day - especially trees and water. They calm me.

- I am grateful for the new people I met this week.

- I am grateful for the new cats and dogs I met this week. Wow! They loved me right away.

-I am grateful that my clients love the new designer cards.

-I am grateful that I was able to finish one new painting and start another.

-I am grateful that two people who are not relatives told me they love me. I love them, too. Love is not exclusive. Love does not have to be "earned."

-I am grateful that I listened to the following songs this week while driving, and that they made my trips relaxing: "SoWhat" / Miles Davis; "Hear Me, Lord"/ Bonnie Raitt; "Dream in Rio"/Cassandra Wilson; "The Storm is Over"/ R. Kelly; These Arms of Mine"/ Otis Redding; "Clocks"/ Coldplay; "You'll Never Walk Alone"/ Roy Hamilton; "Time After Time"/ Miles Davis; "Ava Maria"/ Jessye Norman

Spirituality, Love and Art/ Part I

Spirituality is practice. Love is practice. Art is practice. All require doing in order to become. Become more of who we are. More of our better. More of our best. As we are growing we recognize we are not saints, we are not pious. We are not condescending in our attitudes toward other living things. We are not superior in our spirituality. We are not exclusive in our love. We are not arrogant in our art.

Spirituality is inner awareness of the existence of something higher than oneself, most easily accessed through the realm of the conscience. Here is where intuition dwells. The voice that speaks to you in the most subtle manner, most easily heard in solitude. Spirituality is practiced and affirmed through our actions in the outer world. On this earthly level, we are perpetual students of spirituality.

Living in a world ridden with violence, poverty and man's inhumanity to man can sometimes seem impossible to bear. Given the social climate of living on planet earth day to day requires a support system not only to survive, but to thrive as loving human beings. Family, friends and a loving significant other can certainly provide a strong support system. But belief in something higher than oneself can make that system even stronger.

I choose spirituality, love and art primarily as a means of feeling good through mental fitness, physical productivity, creativity and practice of my beliefs. All three personal tools for living require these components, which are essential to my feeling of well-being.

Having always been curious about the world around me as well as intensely introspective while remaining perceptive to the feelings of others, it seems fitting that, at the age of thirty-one (many years ago), I chose to live a life of conscious spirituality. This is a life that acknowledges both my spirituality and humanity through daily practice of kindness, learning and sometimes falling down. It is a life that recognizes God as both indwelling and omnipotent. With God being so, I am connected to other human beings on the most fundamental level. It is this belief along with years of having done the work necessary for growth that makes me appear perpetually cheerful on the outside while sometimes being "in the wilderness" on the inside.

At these times, I am simply practicing love toward my brothers and sisters without burdening them with what is actually going on in my life. At this point, it has become a habit, while I still have miles to go in terms of my spiritual development....as we all do. At least on this level. On this earthly level.

When I need to be in communion with my higher self, I choose the solitude of prayer, where I go to seek answers, request fulfillment through thankfulness and affirm my blessings. To me, prayer is a form of action, being so as we emit personal energy toward a positive outcome, most effectively realized when we do the physical work while allowing God to provide the way.

In my next three main posts, I will talk about why I believe spirituality is often a struggle, how spirituality effects the art process and why I cannot thrive without love, regardless of whether I am in a romantic relationship. I also want to talk about why I feel the world is currently in the midst of extreme spiritual change, and why this change presents endless fodder for artists' subject matter. Not the least, I want to talk about how enjoyment of one's life and practicing spirituality are quite compatible.

Favorite paintings related to this post: "The Night Letter"/ Eldzier Cortor; "Mary Contemplating a Candle"/ (Oops! Sorry, ya'll, I forgot the artist's name. I'll find it and post it later!)

Marrying and Losing Blue

Ah, the color blue! In all its glory and varieties, it is peaceful, moody and sensuous. I have loved it for many years now. Periwinkle, turquoise, cerulean, navy, powder, sky, lavender, ultramarine and yes, my favorite, cobalt. And, of course, any shades of blue I might have failed to mention.

What is it about blue that attracts me so? My themes are spiritual in nature, and initially blue seemed fitting for that reason. But the more I painted with it, the more I was attracted to its broad technical properties, as well as the resulting emotive aspects of work containing blue - particularly cobalt and ultramarine.

Technical because I have discovered blue to be the perfect undertone for the most unlikely colors - yellow, for example. My painting, "The Mid-Heaven" was begun with several washes of thinned cobalt blue over the entire surface, with thinned layers of ultramarine used during several last stages of the painting process. These two colors enhance, rather than detract from the vibrancy of the finished painting.

Emotive because finished works containing blue can be either contemplative or upbeat, depending on the tones of the colors used with it. The color blue can definitely set a mood like no other.

A friend once told me that blue is the color of truth, and I believe she might be right. Truth is certainly vital to spirituality.

At any rate, I will continue to love blue, but we just might separate for a while. I want to experiment with other colors as an undertone for paintings and as a potential suitor to add that special flavor to my paintings. I have tried to lose blue in the past, to no avail. I don't think I'll lose it now, as it will always come back and attach itself to me.

Imagination Defined

"Objects of Affection Series"

To me, imagination is the conceptual stage of an idea or a new way of viewing traditional or typical realities. Imagination might continue to dwell only in one's mind or it might be birthed to fruition through the process of creativity.

Although most artistic endeavors such as music, art and dancing are enhanced through the use of imagination, it can also be applied to many aspects of everyday living such as cooking, gardening, decorating, housekeeping, fashion and making love, to name a few.

Sometimes, it is stimulating to do mundane tasks in a new way by using one's imagination to be more creative. For example, I have a friend who is conservative in her political persuasion, but imaginative in how her home is organized and decorated. From the way her paintings are hung to how clothes are separated in her closet, she is extremely imaginative in how she handles her household, doing everything in fresh yet simplistic ways.

In art, imagination is delightful to behold when an artist presents material in unexpected ways that are uniquely his own. Two artists who immediately come to mind are Fernando Botero and Pablo Picasso. Botero's portly people are recognizable in his paintings, drawings and sculpture, while Picasso's cubist renderings are his own, no matter how many times his influence is apparent in the work of other artists.

I believe that we are all artists and that we all have the ability to imagine, however, I also believe that some of us choose to leave our imaginations in the conceptual stage rather than bringing it forth.

The Writings of Robert Henri

Robert Henri was both an artist and a teacher who passed away in 1929. His book, "The Art Spirit" has been read by me countless times and utilized as an "art bible" of sorts. His writings are important to me because of their timelessness, and because I have often thought about many of the things he writes about. Here are a few excerpts from that book:

"An artist has to get acquainted with himself just as much as he can. It is no easy job because it is not a present-day habit of humanity. This is what I call self-development, self-education. No matter how fine a school you are in, you must educate yourself."

"But few are capable of holding themselves in the state of listening to their own song. Intellectuality steps in and as the song within us is of the utmost sensitiveness, it retires in the presence of the cold, material intellect......"

"Great works of art should look as though they were made in joy. Real joy is a tremendous activity, dull drudgery is nothing to it....The drudgery that kills is not half the work that joy is...."

"Do not let the fact that things are not made for you,that conditions are not as they should be, stop you. Go on anyway. Everything depends on those who go on anyway."

"It's not that the juries don't mean well or at least think they mean well. but it is simply that art cannot be measured."

"If you want to be a historical painter, let your history be of your own time, of what you can get to know personally - of manners and customs within your own experience."

"No nation as yet is the home of art. Art is an outsider, a gypsy over the face of the earth."

"The only sensible way to regard the art life is that it is a privilege you are willing to pay for."

"Seldom has the great art or great science of the world been paid for at the time of creation. It has been given, and in general has been cruelly received. You may cite honors and attentions and even money paid, but I would have you note that these were paid a long time after the creator had gone through his struggles."

The Joy of Imagination

"Gratitude"

There is one component I have found present in most great art, and that is the use of imagination. To me, this is what makes certain art engaging, vibrant and original. Whenever I view a work of art where the artist has chosen a fresh way to approach even the most mundane subject, I feel excited.

A fresh approach might include a novel way of rendering line, texture, color, pattern, perspective or even the subject itself. A never-before-seen subject rendered in an original manner can truly be called a work of art.

When I think of what contributes to imagination in art, three vital characteristics come to mind: Development in the fundamentals of art, having a point of view and commitment to developing that view and being broad-minded in one's thinking. I am hard-pressed to see how having a narrow perspective in everyday life would allow an artist to be imaginative in her work. It helps to think "outside the box."

As an artist who, for several years, rendered technically correct, well-done drawings and paintings in the manner of millions of other artists, I could not understand why my work was often overlooked.

I had no voice, no point of view and no idea what I wanted to paint. For me, this was a good point from which to start because I eventually learned that art must be more than technical skills and more than the dictates of the market. Once I clearly understood this, among other important details, I was able to begin working as a continually developing, evolving artist. The paintings presented on this blog have recently furthered into broader renderings, which are still recognizable as my work, though in a different way. This is simply imagination at work.

As a practicing artist who is also imaginative in most aspects of my everyday life, I have sometimes been called "eccentric," "different," and even "hard-to-pinpoint." Whenever I'm labled in this way, I don't take it personally. I simply realize that some prefer a life within the confines of a box -certainly not conducive to imagination.

In my next post, I will say more about imagination relative to my definition of it pertaining to both art and life. Your thoughts, please.

Four-Month Itinerary

"Rather paint the flying spirit of the bird than its feathers."
Robert Henri

July, 2009/ Studio Work - Finally, I have begun the new body of work which I have been longing to start for an entire year now. The supplies are waiting, the drawings from my sketchbook have been selected and I am in the correct state of mind to proceed. That state of mind being one of having reached the point in life where I realize there is no sublime way to be when preparing to spend long hours in the studio. You take the bitter with the sweet, which often exists side by side. I accept that great moments continue to blend with heart-wrenching ones - which is the state of my life almost every day. When I am painting, it is difficult to concentrate on darkness.

August, 2009 / National Kidney Foundation Auction

September, 2009 / Featured Artist: Strathmore Artists Newsletter

October, 2009 / Open Studio Show

Art in Words

"Angels in Flight"

In two recent volumes of poetry, there are paintings whose messages refer to the poems. For each volume, I have created a handbound prototype of the book I wish to publish. Ironically, only two of the poems were actually created to reflect the subject matter of the paintings. They are "The Compassionate Sun" and the poem below, "Of My Body, Forgiveness." For all the other poems, I was able to find paintings that referred to each one because all my themes fall under one umbrella (see sidebar explaining what my paintings are about).

As the poetry and paintings inform each other, this is particularly so of the one below. I believe that the body is essentially forgiving, having found this to be true time after time. However, it takes persistence of focus to achieve a constant mind-body connection. Whenever I become distracted with too many priorities on my plate - as it were- this issue of spiritual struggle presents itself once more........