A bittersweet farewell to all my "Stray Cats"....

As my last day in Birmingham draws near, my memories of my time with all of you become more precious than ever! I feel so blessed to have been a part of " The Strays". I take with me a renewed joy of creativity, and a circle of inspiring friends who will forever resonate in my heart!

For all the laughter, good wine, and love of art I am eternally grateful!

Please stay in touch!!

XXXXOOOOO

INDEPENDENCE DAY/ CELEBRATE ARTISTS

As debates are waged about the direction of our economy, our country and indeed our personal lives, we are still tasked with living in the present moment and day to day. Artists are independent by nature and by necessity. Sometime, we bow to the pressure of the need for sales and the opinions of both our patrons and of other artists, critics and people who think they know better than the artist how the work should be created, presented and priced. But we each strive to rise above those pressures and remain TRUE to our vision.

A good day is one where we can let all of the outside voices fall away. On those days, the work flows from the finger tips and magic happens. As you sink into your work, everything fades and nothing exists but you and the work. Time stops and the work begins to lead the way and in the end the piece has spoken about how it wants to manifest. This is the moment that artists live for -- the instant when art happens. Everything else is preparation, technique and inspiration. And that can only happen in the independent space where there is nothing but you and the work.

So as we celebrate our independence this 4th of July, remember that we practice independence every day when we step through the doors of our studios. I give gratitude for my life and for being born in the USA... where we have the freedom of expression... the freedom to produce and prosper... the freedom to live independently in the ways we are each inspired.

Project's End

The beginning is a struggle to overcome intertia and find that spark that excites inspiration. Then comes the problem solving and execution. There is the fascinating moment where you get lost in the doing and become something that is both melded and flowing into the act of creation. Of course there is the sometimes mundane and repetitive act of production that follows when you have discovered what you needed to discover and all that remains is the doing.

But for me, one of the most powerful moments is when you discover the end... the moment when there is no more doing, no more discovery, no more to this project. In that moment, there is nothing left but Faith and Belief. Faith that there will once more be something to draw from deep inside. And Belief that opportunity will open it's doors to you again.

Today, I am at that moment. All of the forming, curing, firing and glazing is done... the Kiln is cooling and another load waits in the wings. This leave me at loose ends and standing in the in-between -- a potent and terrifying place.

This week, one of our artists faced a moment, terrible and awesome, that he might, indeed be at project's end. Thankfully, he survived the moment and we are all praying and thinking of him as he faces the next step. Good Luck, Warren. Thanks for hangin in with us. God Bless!

FEEDING THE CREATIVE SOUL

Yesterday I got to feel my creative soul. I knew my creative soul was hungry, but I guess I had not realized just how hungry it was. Expression of our art is usually a solitary event. Classes can bring together many like minded, like medium people to focus on a like project and each create a like version of the same thing. This is purposeful and satisfying and offers a lot of opportunity to learn something new and to stretch. Then we go back to our solitary studios and integrate what we have learned and continue to create.

But yesterday was different. Four women, each with a different medium came together in a relaxed and easy way. We shared food, laughter, mimosa's and a little of ourselves with each other. We entered the studio with no lesson to learn and no goal to be reached. As the host, I had a loose idea of a project to offer and the basic materials needed. After that, all that was required was to just let go and let the process happen. Magic Happened!!!

Perhaps there wasn't one piece of "FINE" art created. That doesn't matter. What does matter is the freeing of the spirit, the sense of adventure and the discovery that was the main event of the day. Each woman expressed something much more authentic. Something that, in my observations, was so True to that woman... a mini self portrait... though that was not at all the intent. Bypassing subject matter allowed each one to become the subject of her own expression.

My creative soul was hungry... not for work, nor for technique... but for that moment of connected sharing of the impulse to express... the unselfish opening of the heart that enfolds, if just for a moment, everyone who steps into the circle with support, encouragement, expansion and FUN! As I step back into my studio today, it is a little less solitary as the walls still echo with chatter, laughter and life. Thanks Girls!

Posting now. Downloading brain to keyboard. Testing 1, 2, 3 . . .

But am I now me or am I still the alternate voice of Warren?
If I am Warren does that mean I will awaken with the innate ability to paint tomorrow?
I mean, paint fine art, not walls. In my dreams last night I painted two boards a very intense shade of turquoise. I mean, upon awakening, the ability to translate an idea to a canvas in an original style with my hands holding a brush will emerge as if I have always known how to do it.

A little voice inside is saying 'not likely, hon...'

But I think I have mastered the color palette icon.

My first blog

This is tricky stuff.
Deb, I like the way your brain works.
Warren, am I really blogging? Bev

My First Blog

Kicking and dragging my feet... alternating between the two... I have finally been forced into the bloggosphere. This Stray Artist finds her head exploding with all of the new technology that must be learned in order to be literate in this new world we are creating. Always averse to anything that requires following structure and rules, this new technological socializing must evolve from some as yet unnumberd circle from Dante's imagination.

However, I will crawl forward and find my way along the hiway of the blog world, picking bits and pieces of asphalt, gravel and brain out of my knees and typing fingers... Then I will go back in the studio and make a piece that makes it all make sense... deb paradise