Blog

Hi Everyone!

A few days ago a Facebook artist friend of mine (Hi Dale K.!) posted that he was having a difficult day.  So many of us gave him some encouraging words on his post.  I put up a one minute video I had taken with my phone several years ago when I was sitting, leaning back against my favorite tree in the woods.

I like to occasionally video places that are close to my heart.  I have videos by this favorite tree in the heat of the summer, listening to the birds and watching the light on the leaves.  And again in autumn- same spot but watching the yellow leaves fall gently and scatter on the ground.  I also have one by our pond, listening to the spring peepers.  No words, just presence in that space and time.

Dale describes this as a Native American practice of silent hunting where we just sit and wait and experience what is happening right now.  I had not heard that before, but it would seen a natural way for all people who live close to the earth's heartbeat.

A painting can be approached the same way.  A way where we artists look around for what we can't take our eyes off and respond in the moment.  I don't often think about the point or meaning of a painting when I set out.  But it sometimes comes to me while I am working, or even later when it is all done.  I'll have an insight and think, oh, that's what this is all about: a safe place, a quest, a family gathering, an immersion, a welcome home.

I was with a painter friend (Hi Donna!) once and we were tromping across a little field lightly chatting, looking for the next painting when I stopped short, stepped back, stepped to the side, then back again.  She smiled and said, "I know that look" as she watched me drop my gear and set up my easel.  When you find it, you find it.  She did the same nearby.

In March I am part of a three woman show at Red Raven Art Company in Lancaster.  I've been working towards the exhibition for the last year and have paintings (with animals) and some unframed pen and ink sketches of animals as companion pieces.  If you are in the area please consider stopping in.  Or consider taking a look at their website where the paintings's images will be posted.  It will be a short show- the space is being renovated the last week of March and I am unable to attend the reception on March 1st.  But I will be at the artist talk on Saturday, March 2nd which will be posed on Facebook, so that will be fun.

Happy Hunting everyone, for whatever you may be needing in your own lives this spring.

Jill