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My Story
Everyone has a story; we differ in the details. Ours is a Great Story because we can have no hidden secrets. We are interconnected. We can run but we cannot hide from our secrets, our stories. We are familiar with them; we write and rewrite them daily. We experience them, hate them and love them. Stories people tell have a way of taking care of themselves. We can be proud of them, disappointed by them, thrilled by them, overwhelmed by them, bored by them and challenged by them. When stories come to you, learn to care for them wisely. And give them away where and when they are needed. Let us put our stories in each other’s memories. They are all that we are, all that we have.
My story I inhabit comfortably. It can take me anywhere I want to go, let’s me be anyone that I want to be. It doesn’t deceive or trick me. I know it intimately. There are few surprises. That is what I like and dislike about it. It is as familiar as my face in the mirror. As the thoughts I think. As the feelings I feel. As the house I live in. As my children’s laughter. As the sun rising in the morning. As the ring on my cell phone. As the paintings I paint. As the food I cook. As the pool I swim in daily. As the beating of my heart. As the moon coming up over the mountain. I never tire of my story. It inspires me to live as fully as possible. In our Great Stories we know who lives, who dies, who is kind and loving, who is strong, who is weak, who finds love and who hides from love. Some historians have said, “There are only three stories.” I want to hear and understand your story. I want you to help me write mine as I would like to help you write yours. To find our essence, our mystery and our magic.
This is my story. You are part of it. Much of it has been written, revised and edited, but there is more, oh so much more writing, revising and editing to be done. My loves, my art, my talents, my creative expressions, my way of seeing, my perceptions, my strengths, my weaknesses, my joys, my gifts – this is my story as an artist that I am here to share. It is the story of how I came to be me, how I express who I am through artistic expression.
When I create a work of art I embark on a journey within. I want to express the mysterious aspects of my mind, body, soul and spirit. The journey is endless, the possibilities unlimited. The joy is in finding the unknown, the not-yet revealed. I must remain open, disciplined and focused to find the expression that is there - waiting Will this expression contain happiness, sorrow, memory? I won’t know until my story unfolds.
I csonstantly ask mysef, “Is this artistic expression a reflection of who I truly am, or am I repeating an old, familiar story?” Art is my color, my light, my essence, my heart and soul. It is the vessel into which I pour myself daily. It gives me purpose. It gives me structure. It gives me hope. It gives me space, shape, identity. It gives me infinite joy. It gives me a path to follow. It gives me an escape. It settles my nerves; it unsettles my nerves. It gives me new openings to never-dreamed of possibilities. It gives me courage. It gives me the freedom to be more. It gives me something familiar; something new and strange. It gives me a stronger place in the world. It gives me a deeper presence into another dimension. There is promise.
I want what I create to reflect beauty. To speak to the viewer through the power and truthfulness of my work. The images must resonate and give a new understanding and perspective. The viewer’s way of seeing may change. People often say to me, “I love how you did that, the way you put those objects or colors together. I never would of thought of doing it that way, but it works.” This is one of my goals.
Through art, memory may return to long-forgotten time. One may be transported to a glimpse a deeper truth. Often one is reminded that there is always the possibility of finding something more, something different with a new outlook and understanding.
My story is found in the expressions of the images and dreams that have formed me. My work speaks of where I have come, what is living inside me now and where I am going. There is much that wants to be released and become visible. I am an artist. This is who I am. This is my life.
The journey continues . . .
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