A friend asked me recently if I would change what I paint to purely suit the market and it stopped me in the my tracks. I think a couple of years ago without hesitation I would have said ‘yes’.
But now? It’s a firm no. Of course the market is an influencing factor but I’ve moved well beyond the point of painting purely to meet other peoples expectations.
Throughout my creative journey I’ve repeatedly come across themes of joy, gratitude, hope in the face of despair, redemption, faith, wonder, child-like awe and humility. Creating has been a feedback between the canvas and what’s going on in real time behind the scenes. I’ve shared with the canvas my feelings- and in return it’s revealed weaknesses and challenged priorities in return.
To step back and paint purely for ‘others’ would rob collectors of a genuine and authentic narrative that has so much more than meets the eye. But more importantly it would rob be of all the growth that creating has to offer me as a person.
This mini series was another moment to capture what I’ve been noticing as ‘goodness’ where it already exists. A strewn cute sketch across my kitchen bench, home baked goodies, a glass of wine at the end of what sometimes feels like a really hard day, the colour and beauty of nature, the smell and textures of paint and using the pretty table cloth. A photo doesn’t capture the feeling- but I’m really intent on paintings be able to.