As I walked in semi-darkness down the driveway this morning, I began to think about what I wanted for my work today. I do that sometimes. I don’t know if it’s a matter of starting the new week with a new focus or if there’s a part of me that is still surprised at the fact I paint for a living. Still needs reassurance that my work has meaning in some small way.
But what I decided I wanted to do with my work at this point is to appeal to a better instinct that I believe is common across all human barriers. That is to say, create work that has universal themes and creates commonality rather than division. This world is so so pulled apart by divisions in race, religion and ideology that we seem to lose sight of our commonality.
That’s where art, at it’s best, has a part to play. It can transcend language and cultural differences, can reveal emotions and feelings that are basal to us all as humans. It is then all inclusive and allows anyone from anywhere to sense something intangible yet recognizable as being part of them.
Is that too much to ask? Too lofty a goal? It may be. And perhaps by even acknowledging it, it becomes unobtainable, lost in efforts that become unnatural and forced. Perhaps. But why not aim higher? Why not aspire to have your work reach it’s highest purpose?
Shouldn’t we hope that for everything we attempt? For every aspect of our lives?
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Reminder- Name This Painting! Contest Continues–
Just a reminder that the annual Name This Painting! Contest is still open to entries until May 16th. It’s a simple contest so if you’d like to win a set of limited edition prints, check out the details by clicking on the painting to the right and start thinking of a fitting title.
Good luck!
Redtree Times 