ART

When I was little - anything could be art.
It was not the materials, it was the process.

In the spirit of discovery I dragged random materials to my courtyard and … played. The paper was old and crinkled. I started with pencils, then oil crayons (note to self: you ‘re going to need a LOT more white), then to acrylic paint. I rubbed and scraped and moved my hands. I focused on how I feel about my courtyard and all the little things in it. Just like a kid I kept playing until the paper was covered. At the end - I was dipping my fingers in paint and smearing it around.

At the bottom right - I even pressed my hand to the paper.

Photos of the elements in my courtyard that inspired me to art today - 4.27.08

All children are artists. They dip their fingers in bright, slick paint and smear their feelings across the page. If asked, they define their masterpieces - but before that - there is just joy of color and line and expression. Their hands move and magic happens.

I was trained as an artist. I have a piece of paper (somewhere) that proclaims I earned a Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design. I have worked for over 30 years doing print and then web for a wide range of clients and industries. I can solve any graphic problem and pull disparate elements together and the result is clean and focused. But when I am not working my mind wanders.

I see color and shape and type and I want to capture it. I read words in blogs and see photos in social media and what I see go beyond words. The child in me wants paint and pencils and paper and scissors and glue. She yearns to move her hands - effortlessly and with feeling.

My first post and my desire to create art again is inspired by the blog of a virtual friend. This is from his blog, Tuesday, April 22, 2008. pleasefindthis.blogspot.com

I plan on looking back, with the hope it will move me forward…
Thank you “i” whoever you are.