Words can’t describe how ready I am to see April. I won’t say that March was terrible, but it dragged on…or am I the only one that feels that way. My interest in writing has increased more than painting these days. Brainstorming mode turned all the way up. I’m still a newby to the fiction writing world but, I’m quickly learning that writing requires a different focus than painting for me.
When I paint, I enjoy listening to music the most. My headphones are always within reach. Headphones or not, I trained myself to keep my attention on my painting. A few distractions here and there are good for me because I have the tendency to stay in one place for hours and rarely take breaks. When I write, this is a different shift and I prefer to work in silence. I have to listen to my thoughts clearer than I normally do if I was painting. Most background noises and low tones I find distracting. Recently, I tried to write a new microfiction story at home. I made a stop at the library to return a few books and decided to stay a little longer to finish my story. By my surprise, I did well, even with people talking and a woman sitting 10 feet away from me with a nagging cough. This could be my new thing. I mean - afterall I’m always thinking of new places to get my work done.
This message is for all the hardworking artists…
That project you're working on might not get seen by many right now, but it will in time. It could be tomorrow or in two years, but IT WILL get seen. Don't start over, throw it away or give up.
Last weekend, I attended an artist talk curated by Maus Haus Gallery for artists Dawud Shabazz and Mike McKeown. Before everyone showed up, Dawud and I talked about trusting the timing with our work. He shares his story about many of his pieces gaining more visibility two years after creating them. His words opened my eyes and I thought about the days when I felt discouraged about my own work sitting in my studio. I resonate with my artwork differently than the collector and consider art to be messages for the person that needs it the most. I create it but the message has to be delivered in its own time to the receiver, regardless of my efforts of how often I share and promote it. My interpretation of trusting the process was missing this valuable piece to the puzzle. But I feel like I’ve known this and yet the message circled its way around to me again in a different voice. We work so hard with our craft but can get discouraged at times. Wondering why even in our efforts not enough eyes are on us, little interest from others or we're not selling like we want to. This isn't a reflection that we aren't good at what we do, the timing might not be right. When it comes, it'll be better than before and the wait will be worth it.
I took a lil break this month…
March is over in a few days and I’ve been making myself a priority. I cancelled my trip to St. Louis to see my family and used those Spring Break days to be with my husband and kids. I had every intention to write the artist spotlight this month, but another mental break was calling me…and I answered.
So be ready for my new spotlight coming up with Las Angeles, California artist 6oldie (pronounced Goldie) and his LightWork vision.
Thanks for reading!
Peace,
Alex B
Images and paintings by Alex B Artistry
“This is Healing” red painting with denim sculpting