As an Artist living a creative life that carries with it all the obvious definitions and the surface expectations those titles have, I've been amazed and moved again by the unexpected.
When standing before a blank canvas with the seed of an idea, an inspired thought, a word, an image, or maybe even a combination of all of those things, it's the beginning of a journey that I know will end with an image that holds each experience. The hope is that the piece will carry with it a living message. What I can't and don't want to control is how someone will receive and relate to it.
and that's the beauty, the gold, the magic of it all. That's the goodness and what encourages the continuation of this artful life.
"Receiving the Assignment"
It's about relationship.
The relationships that have been built are priceless to me.
I am blessed to say that I have several stories like this that I could share. (insert humbled tears here)
I was in a difficult place last Summer. It's my own fault. I was on a track to take on a great challenge, but instead, I made the choice to do something good. I chose good because it was easier, because it made sense. It wasn't a bad choice to open a gallery with several talented artists, but it was off track from the calling on my life.
Just a few months before that, I had done a solo art show at a local gallery that was on the main street of town. Hanging in the window during that show, was "Receiving the Assignment", the painting shown above.
I was standing in the "good" choice mentioned before, the multi artist gallery in an alley with a cool vibe. I remember feeling off that day, but still completely committed to honoring the choice I had made. In the spot strolled this lovely lady who asked, "Is one of you Tina? I said, "that's me!" With tears in her eyes, she shared with me how many times she drove past the window of Love's Gallery on the square to experience that painting. She shared with me what that piece meant to her. She wanted to meet me and see the piece in person.
A great connection that began a wonderful friendship all started with a painting. Really, it all started with a blank canvas and an inspiration.
Monica's journey converged with mine and art was the crossroads.
I could argue that if I hadn't chosen the good choice of being where I was that Summer instead of the great path I'm on now, that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to have that encounter with Monica in the alley that day, but we'll never know for sure.
All I do know for sure is that today is a great day, today is a blank canvas full of potential.
blessings, Tina
prints of "Receiving the Assignment" are available Here
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