Friday, June 12, 2015

Art is Moving!

Friday!

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~John Quincy Adams

I Am An Artist Interview

I'm extremely proud to be representing Connecticut in the "I Am An Artist" Series created by the wonderful foundation Art Is Moving.

I can't say I'm completely opposed to their mission statement:

Art is Moving’s Vision

To show that art needs to be everywhere and experienced by everyone.
To get more people involved in the art world and get the art world more involved in the public.
To show that art breaks down boundaries in many ways.
To promote the notion that creating art should be a daily practice.
For art to be accepted by professionals and the general public as an important tool for social and cultural interaction and growth, education, creativity, health, and happiness.

Check out their website to see how you can participate in Art Break Day!

Artist Reception!

I've just finalized the date for my artist's reception at Discovery Museum! My work is currently on display now - you can take a virtual tour here - and will be there until September.

On July 26th from 3pm-5pm, there will be a fun reception with food, drinks, and lots talking about art! As a follow up to my show in Ridgefield called "Canvas Talk: A Forum of Dreams", this show will be called "Canvas Talk: Tree Dreams"...because I have been painting a ton of trees lately!!!

You can check out the event HERE.

Beechwood Arts...

Yesterday evening I once again had the amazing opportunity to share my art, writing, monologues and stories along with eight other inspiring artists, sculptors, musicians and survivors in the Beechwood Arts Immersion Salon Event: Resilience and the Power of the Human Spirit.

All of the artists had the opportunity to take part in an amazing documentary about our stories of resilience. One of the questions asked was, "What does resilience mean to you?"

I said that part of resilience is knowing that everyday is a blessing - even if in disguise - knowing that and then acting on that as well.

What does resilience mean to you?

It was an extremely inspiring, poignant and heartfelt event. As artists, when we are vulnerable, we create a web of safety for others to feel vulnerable as well - even if it is just to be vulnerable with themselves. Just as I create to feel, I hope that what I create allows others to feel.

The first question that Art Is Moving asked me was why am I an artist?

I am an artist because I couldn’t imagine any other way of connecting with my world, myself, and my passion. I wake up every morning with a drive to create. Every sensation I touch, every breath I inhale brings an image to my mind that fills me with giddy excitement. I find inspiration in each everyday miracle, and my first impulse is to create something with it. When I do, I feel aligned with the universe – like something larger is moving through me. I feel the big, limitless expanse of sky above me, my feet grounded in the earth, and my heart pulled between the two extremes. I am an artist because that is how I feel like I belong. It’s my role in the world, and it’s how I can share my passion with others, and receive inspiration from everything around me.

I am an artist because I’m a busy-body – I’ve always felt a need to do, to make, to document what I feel in some kind of artistic way. Experiencing beauty all around me is only the first part of the process. Making something of the beauty is just taking a step further. For me, seeing the role of an artist truly be fulfilled is being able to give back what I create, to share my work. And last – I am an artist because I will forever be happily reveling in why I am an artist. My question is – for anyone – why not?

Why not?

That's my question - if you don't think you are an artist, why not?

(The answer is NOT because "I can't draw" or "I'm not creative"

(and to be sure you have no excuse - check out my guest post telling you Seven Easy Steps to Finding Your Creative Side!)

Let me know what you come up with on my Show Me Your heART Pinterest board, comment here, or make something just for yourself - draw a picture and then rip it up!

Before I Go...

Gotta run, I've got to restock some art I'm selling on amyoes.com and my Etsy shop, a wedding to get ready for, and a Friday to enjoy!

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