How Ideas Come

Subjects  for my paintings and poetry are generally based on my beliefs, thoughts, life experiences and observations.  However, specific ideas are often generated through inspirations such as cinema, literature or music. These ideas might come slowly as a process, spontaneously at any given time or in a dream, just before waking.

Ideas that come slowly as a process first manifest as a strong feeling I might have about a movie I've just seen or an unusually inspiring piece of music.  Like most of us, I  am most likely to have feelings about whatever I relate to - that expresses something I've experienced in my own life.  I felt justly moved the other night after hearing Jennifer Hudson singing, "Let It Be."  The words to that song always resonate with me, but her rendition was particularly impressive.

The strong feeling then flows into desire - the desire to retain the feeling by manifesting it into art.  This is a gradual process that might begin with sketches,  more sketches, and then a final drawing, which is used as a reference for the painting. 

Spontaneous ideas invariably come when I'm in a very relaxed mood with making art the last thing on my mind.  I might be doing a mundane task, such as vacuuming the floor or doing laundry, when - pow! - a poem insinuates itself into my brain.  Or an idea for a painting demands an immediate sketch.

Ideas that come in dreams are what I call gifts because they arrive full-fledged, rich with color and complete in design.  They are paintings delivered by angels during sleep.  Their only demand is that a pencil and pad is nearby.  Otherwise, they will be lost forever.

Oops, I forgot another way an idea might come - through sitting down and sweating it out of your brain......it's called..... force.  This one requires lots of time - say days or weeks.  

Staying Healthy While Creating Art

 "Objects of Healing #2" / Acrylic on Canvas

When  just starting my professional career several years ago, I had a discussion with an established artist which has stuck in my mind to this day.  When I asked him how he was able to spend long hours in his studio working on his beautiful pointillism works, he cited long distance swimming as the key to his stamina.  He said the best advice he would give any artist  is "stay healthy in order to continue creating art!" 

As I realize now more than ever that "the more creative I am, the more creative I become," I also realize that a high level of energy is necessary in order to continue producing at the rate I currently enjoy.  My goal is to be like Pablo Picasso, who died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90, after painting until 4a.m.

Barring unforseen circumstances, if I am to realize that goal, I know what to do.  The trick is to do it consistently:  1)Eat "right", which for me includes fish, poultry, raw and cooked vegetables, whole grains, fruits and water. I eat these foods every single day, but not always in smaller portions.   2) Get enough sleep.  Six hours is the most  I can muster.  3) Exercise.  When I'm not painting or making art, I'm constantly moving about, but I don't have an exercise routine. 4) Take vitamins.  I take them, and they make me feel a lot better than I would without them.

If I were to give myself a grade in following through on all of the above, I would give myself a B-,  even though I feel healthy most of the time. I have not had a cold, an ache or a pain in eight years.  Still, it bothers me that I could do better, but don't.  

Why don't I do it consistently?  Because I'm busy painting, ya'll!!!  Yes, I know.  It's a real Catch22.  But I have promised myself to get better with this.

And I'm thinking that I will.   

The Compassionate Sun

 "The Compassionate Sun"  / Acrylic on Canvas

 "As I continue to acknowledge those who are living with cancer or have overcome cancer,  I offer this painting and poem.  Both were created two years ago for my mother, who died in 2002 from ovarian cancer, a rapidly-growing form of that disease.  Shortly following her diagnosis, my mother suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak throughout the reminding three months of her illness.  She had a room with a pleasant view.

See how the sun loves your heart,
Which faintly beats, yet still does beat
How fickle pain now does depart
How earth warms your chilly feet
As sun rises high, bright with heat

Sun knows you have lived with grief
Stored your faith in darkest keeping
Today's presence might recall your belief
To summon on days when he is sleeping
To hold on days that find you weeping

Your heart and soul feels torn and bled
You miss the sun whom you love so dear
First came rain, now the dread
No comfort of sun to soothe your fear
Only shadows of illness lurking near

See how the sun loves your face
Then pleases the trees with his smile
How he illumines morning like grace
Then comes in kindness to visit a while
To please you, also, with his smile

Much attention he has given the flowers
Such days of pleasure nature has known
For you, he rises to soften your hours
With this new light, your spirit has shone
Today he smiles for you alone

See how the sun loves you
This beautiful day is an embrace
With rays of hope that washes through
And illuminates morning like grace.

Offers this day that feels like Grace. 

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

Cancer Survivor

Cancer came quietly, a subtle thief

In wait, lain for all those years

A downward spiral, a slow-falling leaf

To target the center of my fears

To target the eye of my major issues

The place where lessons take shape

Negative emotions hidden in tissue

Reveals truth without hope of escape

This, coupled with addictions of choice

Used by me in times of frustration

Growth now spreads this foreign voice

Whose presence increases my desperation

Why was tobacco used to cope

With the sorrows of a mundane life?

Or food used like a kind of dope

To get me through times of strife?

To leave faces of familiarity

Is not my longtime vision of now

Although I accept my mortality

There must be an answer, somehow

Could I pray for a quiet remission?

To give me a decent second chance?

And ask only for higher permission

For cancer to exit and me to enhance

The gifts of my life with a stronger heart

Based on all I belatedly understand

And walk the ways of a fresh start

The gifts of my life held firmly in hand

Then, through prayer plus action of power

Of equal intensity where cancer fed

Overrides the density where disease flowers

And bequeaths precious life instead

Though my understanding is most abstract

Of how this healing came to be

That miracles are possible is a fact

Of both scientific reasons and Divinity!

copyright 2009, Georgette Jones

*This poem was written two years ago, and is dedicated to all my friends who have beat cancer.  The painting, "Dreams of the Trinity" is in the permanent collection of Providence Hospital in Novi, Michigan.  

Fond Wishes for 2010

Good Day, Everyone!  And a Good New Year!  Let's all hope and pray for a better new year. May you all be blessed with your fondest good wishes.  Here are some of my own:

- That our troops will return home soon.  Is peace a possibility for this world?

- That there will be more protection for our children.  There are too many of them missing!

- That our elderly, our poor, our sick and our homeless will receive the services they need.

- That our lagging economy will soon recover.

- That the iminent health care reform will be true reform, beneficial to all.

- That art and handmade items will gain a firm footing in the global market, most desired ......(and bought... hee, hee).

- That, as artists, we will begin to document more of what is happening during these historical times, thereby leaving records for posterity.

- Speaking of  health care, that our pocketbooks be fat, but not our asses (mine included, ya'll).  Yes, I can be extremely spiritual, and say that word sometimes! 

Peace and Blessings to All!     

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.