Tuesday, June 19, 2007

It all started...

It all started when I was driving home from doing another mural in 2002. I was listening to a mix tape, (yes a mix tape) that the Smith sisters made for me. They titled it “Bad Ass Women Vol. One.” I’m still awaiting volume two. As I drove home feeling not quite satisfied with my mural painting experience, a song came on by Ani DiFranco. “I’m No Heroine” It is a song about how she lives her life in a nonconformist way, but is realistic about the fact that we are a part of a society which we cannot completely reject. I was thinking about how it seems that everything she has done with her career has been done with integrity. Listening to it was making me feel a bit ashamed for not living my life the way I truly wanted to. I had heard the song before, but this time was different. She said, “I hope somewhere some woman hears my music and it helps her through her day.” It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and tears filled my eyes. I realized that day in my car on the highway that it was time for me to live the life I was supposed to live. I think that was the last mural I did. I went home to my two babies and my husband and nobody knew my life changed that day. Over the next few months, I set up a space to work in my basement and made two abstract paintings. I found two places to show these paintings and I sold them before 2002 was over. After that I could no longer live a pretend life as an artist in my head. I finally made it a reality. What an artist is, is always changing for me. I just try to stay focused and true and let everything else come as it will.

This is Earth Family. My 2nd painting. My cousin Amie bought it.

2 comments:

  1. I should have known there was a reason for having email problems this morning. It is what brought me here. I wanted to check your sight to see if you are having the same problems as me, since we are on the same server. I don’t visit your sight very often and low and behold here is your new blog!!!

    I love what you said about taking your life to another level or direction after listening to that song. It is so touching and I think most people can relate to that “thing” that happens to us when we have an epiphany such as that.

    I realize it must suck to have your Mom be your first responder, but it is, as fate would have it. I stumbled on this new blog of yours this morning, and I feel compelled to express my pride in you and your artwork.

    I think with every brush stroke, not only in your artwork but also as the mother of your children you create something so magically beautiful everyday. Your flair for expression with color in your art and the companionate and intuitive way you are with your children are intertwined with each other and as a result illuminate the beauty and grace of your heart.

    Love you,
    Mom

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  2. That is such a wonderful story. I love your work and I am so glad you were driving in the car that morning.

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