Defining my style

"When you become an artist you don't create for everyone. Not everyone is going to love what you are doing. The most important thing is to stay true to your passion and there is always an audience out there who is going to support it."

The owner of Caranda Fine Foods made that statement in a recent video I saw and I couldn't agree more.
I have been tempted to conform to the status quo of whatever style is hot at the moment but in the end passion wins out because my heart is no where involved in the process,my mind was only on the dollar. I have learned over time that's not a good enough reason to make me create something I have no heart for.
So I am finally in a place where I can explore ideas I have had on the shelf a while. My Artprize entry is a perfect example. This piece will be the start of a series is scripture illustrations that I have had in mind for years. It's a more contemporary view of Biblical interpretation; using modern images to convey the message of the Bible. The possibilities are infinite because of all the examples I can use from daily life...especially what I witness everyday on the city bus! That in itself is a reality show. Seriously though, I love the idea of using the ordinary situations I encounter on a daily basis and transforming them into extraordinary interpretations. My Artist Mentor told me, "Stick with humanity". He was right because no matter what we can always relate to each other. Whether abstractly or directly, we all have some commonality that links us. This piece holds a particularly special place in me because it offers me the opportunity to showcase my 'fine art' side. Over the past 3 or 4 years I have developed my photography, graphic design and a little bit of painting (mostly photography). Getting back to the basics of art fundamentals,pencil and paper, feels amazing. And my first large scale drawing too?! This is great!!
Ending my days with working on drawing is so fulfilling in the sense that I am getting back to love...my first love.

Houston we are go!!!!

Let's see when did I get started (actually pencil to paper) on my drawing...mmmn...Sunday I believe?, yes Sunday. After spending several days stitching my canvas together I can't express how it feels to start a project; when the pencil touches the paper or brush to canvas. That may sound an bit "artsy" but it's true for me. There is a spiritul connection between artist and canvas, photographer and photograph, designer and idea. One that can't be replicated in any other area of life. I love the moments in my studio when it'm me and the creative process...just us dancing about and creating magical things.

In my mind I planned on beginning the drawing at the beginning of August. I wanted to have the entire month of August and the majority of September to draw. But as life usually takes us on unplanned paths, so my art is developing its own way of coming to fruition. Being the 'planner' that I am I almost made a daily schedule for myself for how things were going to get accomplished from now until opening day. That really sucks the creativity out of things, you know? When I have to be the artist/PR/marketing/fund raiser/accountant/ person sometimes I get so caught up in the planning that I spend less time on actually making the work. I'm learning that I can't do it all and have to bring my focus back to what matters most. Balance is key. It's a life journey, that balance thing but I am learning the value of having big ideas but also taking things one step at a time.

Looking back on older posts I can see how everything...all the small details...plays a part in my process of creating this year's piece. From painting walls to rebuilding my front porch, somehow all these things play a part in the big picture. I may feel like the mundane details of life are irrelevant but I see now they are not.
I purchased the paper for my drawing today. That felt good. One small step for my creative process, one giant leap for production!

It's official once again! I remember last year being so excited to get the Artprize artists seal, why does it make people so amped to see their name on something?! Darn that ego.
This year I can tell the difference in my approach to this spectacular competition. I am much more relaxed and prepared. I have many other projects going on in the meantime so Artprize doesn't monopolize my time, at least not yet. It's a good feeling to be back at All City Kicks again, kind of like visiting family members you don't get to see often. It's a comfortable place. For me this year is particularly exciting because I am looking forward to actually seeing the festival as opposed to being too burned out to life a finger. It will also be a good time to scout venues for 2011. Overall at peace with the whole process. The voting, the top 10, the plethora of promo material...I'm not all wrapped up into that this time. I just plan on having fun being an artist.