On the heels of unsuccessful art consultation #1, it’s time for another Oops painting. Although this newest piece isn’t necessarily my favorite, I feel inclined to leave it as is rather than rework or add to it. Besides, the background has that “Jackson Pollack” thing going on which is perfect in context of the previously mentioned jab.
Art Advancement - Continued
Another appropriate quote by Julia Cameron in The Artist Way is, “We cannot make our professional critics more healthy or more loving or more constructive than they are. But we can learn to comfort our artist child over unfair criticism.; we can learn to find friends with whom we can safely vent our pain. We can learn not to deny and stuff our feelings when we have been artistically savaged.”
Art Advancement
A few days ago I engaged in a phone consultation with an art advisor with the goal of advancing my art career. I felt excited and open, ready to hear inspiring, detailed recommendations. What I got was the opposite with red flags from the get-go! Ever so optimistic, I kept thinking the conversation would take a positive turn. Acting more like an art critic, he had nothing positive to say about my work, my websites, etc. One of his final comments was that I had this Jackson Pollack thing going on, but he is the master. It took an hour of listening to this guy’s disorganized and negative comments before I told him our session was over.
Although I realized during our one-sided conversation wherein he was talking rapidly “at” me, that this guy was not a match in any way, shape or form, I allowed him in enough to cause damage to my sense of self and value. My psyche attempted a rescue via an early morning dream with a scene of being on my bicycle riding through Pacific Heights only to find myself in the middle of gunfire between 2 opposing groups and forced to abandon my bike and slither along the ground to safety. Even though the theme of “being in the line of fire” was unmistakable, I found myself sleeping the next afternoon away. Creativity was dead in the water!
Yesterday was a much better day. For starters, I had extra sleep, always a mood enhancer. I focused on what I know - that I may get knocked down but I always get right back up. And, when I get back up, I am filled with greater determination and unstoppable energy. I know I will find a collaborator that is a match.
Also, from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, I am reminded once again, “Do not indulge or tolerate anyone who throws cold water in your direction”.
Tree Trunk
I miss the early morning all-women fitness group I was a part of for 2 1/2 years. One of my greatest joys was running on trails through the majestic redwood trees in Marin. At one point, I stopped and focused on the magnificent striations and intricacies of the wide trunk of one; hence, this oil crayon piece.
Politics and Ethics
Most people I know are similar in being somewhere in the middle, not to the far left and not to the far right. I remind myself of Aristotle’s golden mean “or golden middle way” which “is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency.” This re-affirms the balance needed in life.
Chrome Quotes
A perk in switching from Safari to Chrome is a morning, afternoon or evening greeting accompanied by daily quotes from various people. Today’s is “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” Buddha
Walking home from a morning “Safe Embarcadero for all” rally regarding the largest SF homeless navigation center slated to be installed in a prime, densely residential neighborhood by December, I felt discouraged. Hope for this to be greatly detained or thwarted has been hinging on the legal case filed against SF and the Port Authority. However, a friend there informed me that last week Gavin Newsom signed into law a new bill eliminating appeals for new navigation centers. State senator Scott Wiener introduced it.
Gavin said there is $650 million in the state budget for shelters and navigation centers. That’s a lot of money especially for not getting at the source of the problem! Of course, nothing was mentioned about allocation for permanent homeless housing, necessary new medical facilities and hospitals.
As a registered Democrat. I find myself so over the liberal left policies. When Gavin was mayor of SF, he spent a lot on homelessness and nothing he did worked. He won’t get my vote again. Scary Scott never did. Bernie and Elizabeth - ooh!
In circling back, my discouragement greatly dissipated after reading what Buddha said and realizing I have the power to engage in positive thoughts and activities and choose a happy day.
The Chariot Card - continued
Further, from The Tarot Handbook by Angeles Arrien, “The Chariot depicts a figure in contemplation or quietude sitting within a chariot readied for activity. The Chariot illustrates that change is pervasive in that it touches every individual multi-dimensionally, which is pictured by the four pillars, the four wheels, and the four animals - all of these symbols represent the four elements or the elemental aspects of who we are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The charioteer holds the Wheel of Fortune in his or her hands reminding us that through choice we have the ability to select fortunate, positive, and abundant changes for ourselves. In times of contemplating the changes that we want to make, it is important for us to assess which changes will assist our growth and evolution and which ones will be nurturing, comforting, and supporting to us at this point in time.
Change is for the purpose of reminding us of who we really are. The yellow brick road is the royal road of spiritual growth and evolution. Our choices during times of change are ultimately correct and motivate a deeper commitment to the original purpose of personal and transpersonal existence.”
Chariot
In last week’s session my wonderful, insightful therapist referred to The Chariot Card in Tarot and basically said it holds everything - the charioteer and Wheel of Fortune. In essence, it’s a symbol of unified parts. After listening intently, I told her I have a corresponding painting. A figure is absent and not sure if this looks likes unification; however, after painting it in 2017, I saw a chariot. Perhaps a foresight in my process?
Brief Hiatus
I started painting again and found myself lapsing into judgment/constriction rather than experimenting and having fun without attachment to the outcome.
Judgment moved me to rework this piece and essentially cover up 2 versions that I now miss. OOPS!
1st Version:
2nd Version:
3rd and Final Version:
Range
Really enjoyed this Black on the Air podcast with Larry Wilmore speaking to David Epstein, a sports journalist, about his new book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. In studying “the world’s most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters, and scientists”, he believes that these people “succeed not despite the fact but because they find their way to that particular field after pursuing other endeavors first.” https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/05/david-epstein-range/590704/
Basically, he debunks Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours’ and single-focus rule for success/mastery.
How I heard about this book was through my son in a marketing session. I spoke about a long-held belief that I was a jack of all trades and master of none and expounded on judgement of and frustration with myself in thinking this was not good, something was wrong with me and that I would not attain fulfillment and success. I mentioned my negative views completely changed 7 years ago after receiving a note from a successful businessman who attended a party in my home thanking me and citing the wonderful creative balls that I juggle. As the party was super, for starters, he referenced my interior design, plethora of art, and piano improvisation. I forever bless him for letting me know he was inspired and for being so aesthetically attuned.
My son smiled and responded, asking me if I was aware that the “jack of all trades” quote that is promoted is incomplete, and that there is a final sentence which corroborates what Epstein writes in his book. All these years I had no idea! Here it is: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”