Intimate Acquaintances

Many sites and open studios focus on sales. Better, they are events for viewers and artists to become acquainted. In both situations visitors seem comfortable in anonymity. Generally, studio visitors once engaged would rather listen than speak and most site visitors would rather read than comment. As the artist, the first step is ours.

Carolyn said that my site is “close to being in your studio” (thank you). Some artists speak about their work more easily. I believe that may be because they are used to thinking about it. I make the point because thinking about one’s work isn’t necessary to make art and some artists believe thinking to be antithetical to painting. It may be so, but to think about one’s art as well extends “being an artist” further. I am more of an artist because of it.

It’s the connection of art to artist that I look for when I visit a studio or a website. If the artist speaks about their work I gain more in my understanding of that relationship. It never matters whether I like the work or not. An artist who is willing and able to talk about his or her work creates a ground for my appreciation. The more self aware the artist, the better my sense and greater my respect. An open studio is a perfect for this. A website is also.

My best thinking comes through writing. Writing provides space to finally realize what I’m trying to say. It brings me clarity and understanding of what kind of artist I am. The conversations I enjoy with studio visitors — and my site visitors are deeper for it.

Cheers, April

~ by islandfornow on 2 October, 2007.