There are little tomato nubs on my backyard plants and baby turkeys with a hen on the back hill – so small they barely show in the tall grass. They’ll grow, both the tomatoes and the chicks.
The tomato plants reminded me of a painting I did years ago, so I went looking for it. A watercolor, a past way of working – over ten years old now. I’d approach it differently today. But it shows my enduring fascination with the forms of fruits and vegetables, with what The Creation offers up to be looked at. My style, materials, and methods have all shifted – I won’t say improved, because that implies the earlier work is somehow less, and it’s not – but my focus on nature and the spirits of The Creation hasn’t faded. It’s become stronger.
Ten years, different hands, same spirit.
Caption: Ten years ago. Different hands, same eyes.
I Dare You
I've been putting together some new things lately - real things, physical, in-the-world things that arrive in the mail. Do you want one?
Reply to this email with your postal address and I'll send you an ephemera packet. I'm covering the postage. All you have to do is click reply.
I double dare you.
Real things in your hands and mailbox
Artistic Style – It’s Really Not That Big of a Deal
I hear you: that feeling of being all over the place while everyone else seems to know exactly who they are as an artist. Their style is coherent. Yours is a pile of experiments. I’ve been thinking about that.
All artists, in every medium: writing, photography, sculpture, painting, etc., have a distinct style. It's like recognizing someone's handwriting or way of walking. You have a style because you are a unique creative human being. As for it showing in the things you're making - it already does, though the strength of it may take some time to develop, and it changes with what you're making, the materials, and even the frame of mind you're in.
There's a pervasive idea that once an artist has their "style," they've arrived, they're a real legitimate artist now. Every artist, everywhere, has, and still does, work in various ways and styles - they're all just as real as you. Stop worrying about finding your style and make something. It'll be there.
What Else in the Studio
The Unquiet Ground series is moving forward – only one panel left to finish now. The latest two: Marcescent and Tumescent, mixed media on panels.
Marcescent, 12×9, mixed media on panel
Tumescent, 12×12, mixed media on panel
What are you making right now - do you like it? I read all your messages and I write back.
Shine!
Monette
PS – All you need to do is reply with your address. I’ve got the postage covered. I triple dare you.
PPS – Those baby turkeys in the tall grass this morning, so small you’d almost miss them, growing anyway. That’s the magic.