
I continued volunteering at Columbia Art Center (CAC) this year; my weekly appointment with the world outside the studio. As a volunteer, I've done some interesting projects/ tasks at CAC, but usually I help them with their inventory. In June this year, CAC asked me to give a talk to teachers and facilitators of a kids' art camp. I talked to the group about my work, after which we discussed subjects such as self-expression, success and failure, spontaneity, the creative process, the inner censor and taking risks. We ended with a painting project. It was a fun event. More than anything the experience told me that I could put myself out there. Scary, but fun.
2014 also marked the fourth anniversary of A Work in Progress. Four years! Sure I haven't given the blog as much attention as I should have, but still. With the new year I promise, dear blog, to shower you with more love.
Now that there's no stopping 2015, I have a list of things I want to do this year. Paint on larger canvases, return to printmaking, go deeper into silence and stillness, exhibit in India, participate in exhibitions and apply to juried shows, create a website, and blog regularly. Work has taught me some important lessons this year and I want to keep these in mind in 2015:
- When the resistance to begin work arises, dip into work regardless. The edges of any fear will begin to fade and the next step becomes inevitable.
- Staying in the studio even when things are not going your way is vital.
- Mundane activities like clearing your table can coax the answer hiding inside you to reveal itself.
- Silliness and lighthearted defiance are great allies when the all serious ego tries to overpower you.
- Everything takes its time.
- Everything flows into each other. Life is seamless.