Connecting with Physical Locations...

Many of you know things have been wild around here the last week or so. They seem to be settling down a bit, however we all know how that goes. Thank you all for the lovely comments on the conversation I had with Barbara Wilson! The interesting thing about doing these conversations is the artist is often reluctant to do them, but they are also curious about the process. But once the conversation is published they relax a little bit. I was thinking about how, as artists, we are often reluctant to give so much of ourselves and place it in the hands of another...and have to face trusting the other will do the right thing. I am happy to tell you, it seems the three people I have had the conversations with so far have come away from the process very pleased and feel they have also learned a lot...I know I do each and every time. Do you find it is difficult to give up control of your own process and make yourself vulnerable to a process?

But this is not what I wished to talk about today. Something has been pulling at my brain lately. I think the work with Andrea on the interview began the trigger in thinking about how her work reflected so much her life in Paris. I feel so drawn to it, because I love that city. Then there was Julianne who also shows so much of her life in New York City and as a musician. And Babs who lives in Oklahoma City can begin to show a great deal of the colors and culture of that state. I can see this, as well, because I also lived in Oklahoma for two years. So okay, what is messing with my head, you ask? How location and experience seems to be one of those important features to draw us to the art we like/love.

I did not reach this on my own, though. So many little things have had an impact on that lately. I will explain, but first let me begin by showing you a painting (which you have probably seen before) I did while I lived in England.

Horizon 3 30 x 40 Mixed Media Deep, Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Many of the paintings I did when we lived in England were very different from the ones I do now. Many of the people who have been watching my art have commented on this. And I am not sure I could come up with some of these...even close...again. But Fiona said to me a day or two ago how she felt particularly drawn to these works I did in England. That in itself is not shocking as Fiona is English and lives in London, right? What you do not know is Fiona also grew up a matter of miles from where I lived in England. A very beautiful part of the country known as The New Forest. Yes, I lived and Fiona grew up in the middle of a National Forest. But don't you think it is interesting that although these are clearly expressionistic abstracts, she felt a stronger draw to them?

But this isn't the end of the story. Do you remember I was quite excited about the texture San was creating and showing at the same time Fiona was showing similar texture? I began to realize San's work is also very much a part of her physical location of Santa Fe. Consider that heavy adobe appearance of her work with the subtle flower of the desert. I love that part of the United States and am particularly pulled to it. Read her current post, too...see the home of her next painting. I think you will also find that interesting. And Fiona's work as it related to her urban life in London.

Horizon 9 24 x 36 Mixed Media Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is a painting I did just after we returned from England last year. I was missing that island nation a great deal. Someone said the little patch on this one was a suitcase (I hadn't said I was missing England, though). I found it interesting. It is the last of the Horizon paintings I did. I wonder if I will ever do more?

At this point, you know the kind of work I have been doing here. I love this work and am settling into my life here [for however long it lasts :)], but now I am finding it interesting to see what is happening with my painting due to location. And I am looking for links in the works of others, too.

Do you see these links? Do you see the changes in my paintings? What draws you to the paintings of other people? Clearly, for me, it is more than location, but I have found it interesting to make the connections. I suppose this is why we like to paint in different locations, too. Should I break out of my little bedroom studio? Mmm, what do you think?