Art for Art's sake
(Collages, Expressionism, Pop Art, self-portraits and one woman artist's thoughts on art, life and everything in between)
"The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from the artist is to make him ruin his work."
Goethe
We say that words have consequences. Many of us believe that there is an underlying meaning to that phrase. That there is energy in everything; that positive and negative statements are capable of giving away a positive or negative energy especially when they are addressed to something in particular. Some believe that thoughts have the same affect.
I believe all the above and I know that images are much more powerful than statements that we both think and say out loud. I empower myself with my art and when I do paintings for other people I try to empower them with the positive energy that I myself create and feel as well. I don’t pretend to have any special powers. I hardly pay attention to most esoteric mumbo jumbo, except for the things that actually make sense to me. I search for my own path.
I know that there is a higher power that helps us, but only reveals itself to us when we are ready to believe in it. This power (or God as many of us call it) is the one who gave me my artistic talent and I do my best to get a good use out of what I was given. I try making people happy with my art, not because of some altruistic motives, but because seeing them happy makes me happy and gives meaning to my work. I also do it because I believe that you get back what you give away. A giant quit pro quo with the Universe.
I’m simple in my expectations. I do not feel like an under-appreciated genius. I’m happy that I can do what I do. I’m happy that there are those who enjoy my art and I’m happy when they share their feelings with me. I do what I knew I would since I was a little girl. I’m thankful to the higher power that guides me through life. I feel that I have a purpose in life and I know how rare and truly precious it is. I don’t have to search for a purpose. My art is my purpose.
My art is a celebration of my life, my spirit and my intellect as much as it is a celebration of aesthetical things such as color, composition and beauty. I’m my art and my art is I. Each one of my paintings is a little journey in a labyrinth of life and you just might find out something that will interest or excite you if you care to take a few steps with me.
*The painting above is called "Self-portrait as a Femme Fatale" (oil on canvas, 18X36, 2009)
