A Case of the Why's

Bear with me dear reader, as I ponder a bit today.

Why draw?  Why paint?  Why care?  Why blog?  Why? Why? Why?  On a ridiculously regular basis I ask myself why I started this trek and why my art, or art in general, should matter to me or anyone else.  Sometimes I remember the answers and sometimes not.  Sooooo, here are the top 10 wise me pep talks to grumpy me:

1) Drawing makes you focus on the details - really seeing things/people (regardless of how lovely or crappy the end result is).  A side bonus is a more vivid memory of the moment - weather, smells, sounds, conversations - because your brain tosses them back to you each time you return to that sketch.

2) There's something much more personal about creating your own view instead of snapping a photo.

3) I have a gift, regardless of how much or little talent I really have, there is some, and it's a waste to ignore it.

4) Creating/viewing art is simply therapeutic.

5) After reading the post about my artistic style, my sister commented that I do have a certain style in both my handwriting (which is horrid) and my art, no matter the medium.  I replied "sloppy?"  She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it's something to do with upbeat, uplifting... something up.  Maybe I paint in the style of a messy optimist.  Someday I'll be famous & they'll write books about the Messy Optimism movement.  Ha!

6) While we're on the subject of my supportive sibling.  I was ruminating awhile back on what useful purpose there could possibly be, other than my own selfishness, for this blog.  Then I read her post on Fierce & Nerdy - let your light shine - where she linked to my blog as an inspiration.  I can be inspiring!  Woot!  Maybe not to a whole herd of people, but to a few and that's better than none.

7)  Blogging holds me accountable - 1 reader or a bevy of imaginary readers or just me - we've come to expect a post now and then and they can't all be about quotes or art book reviews.

8) Sometimes what I create can affect another person's life.  The last lesson of the virtual watercolor journal class was painting man made objects.  I challenged myself by painting glass & plastic.  These items were reminders of Dad.  I added journaling and posted it on Mom's Facebook page in hopes of making her smile.  My aunt (Dad's sister) then commented how it touched her as well.  I was delighted to make a small difference with my dabbles of paint.

And then there's this.

9) This was my first and only oil painting.  18-year-old me painted this in the spring of my senior year.  It hangs in Mom's sewing room.  My daughter took this photo with her camera phone a few years back and posted it for all her friends to see.  There were several "She should do this all the time!" comments.  Granted, it's no master.  However, if I could do this once as a teenager, it seems important to explore what I might be capable of now, if I just stick with it!

10)  Milo seems to think every photo session is really meant for him to paw-test the sketchbook.  He has come to expect this and it's just thoughtless to disappoint the cat.

The Envelope Please...

And the award goes to.. me!  Eeek!  (That's a good eek.)  Yup, I won and I'm probably happier about that than I am the recent snowstorm and, considering I'm obsessed with snow, that's a lot!

Over there on the right side of the page are several artist or art-related blogs I follow.  While browsing the blogs a few weeks ago, I noticed Kristy at Flying Shoes Art Studio was having a contest in appreciation of her followers.  Briefly explain why you love art and the favorite reply would win a print of "Artist."  Really?  Fantastic!  I've admired her work and that piece in particular since I discovered it last fall.  I dug into the ole brain and, after multiple rewrites, came up with a short statement - "Art seeks me - reveals despair, joy, angst, peace - entreats my soul to fill the page... to lift hearts.  I seek art - as comfort, as challenge, as breath."  I wanted to run it by my writer sister, but she wasn't paying attention to our chat window so I clicked submit.

A week or so later & there was a message waiting on this blog ... and it wasn't from my sister!  (That didn't come out right - I always like hearing from you sis.)  It was Kristy - I'd won!  I gave her my info.  She gave me some great advice and encouragement.   Kristy announced the winner today on her blog and included links to my blogs!  (This one & my rambling The wind blew me here.)  I just came in from trying to draw in the snow and there it was.  I am flattered and honored and nervous.  If you're visiting my blog for the first time, you'll find my story in What is this trek? and a few of the first posts back in September.

Though I didn't submit visual art and it may not seem big to long-time practicing artists, this feels like another milestone.  No matter where the sketchbook leads me, this print will always be symbolic of my journey.   And the encouragement that resulted from pushing that submit button will be treasured.  Thanks Kristy!