Interference
I am working hard in these first few months to focus on making art. The other business of art continues apace – the publicity, watching for suitable opportunities, finances and so forth – but I’d committed myself to invest in time spent on my work, as the main focus.
I am preparing my new series for my solo show in April at Laura Moore Fine Art. This is a body of work that has pulls from many of my interests in nature, and our relationship to it; specifically in this case the optical phenomenon of light and I have – as ever – poured my heart, soul and intellect into them. I am constantly working to keep my work and skills developing – this is the excitement of a career in the arts. I don’t want to create the same works over and over again. I know that as a person I can’t survive that kind of repetition. It’s not what it’s about for me. Life, or art. I also don’t think it’s possible for an artist to paint in any other way than is clearly their work. The subjects may change, but inevitably the art is recognizably yours.
This is a quarter for firsts. My first solo show in a Gallery; my first art fair in March at the Dallas Arboretum; my first new series since 2009; my first beginning the year with some reserves from last year’s profits, with which to fund my focus on creating.
There are many more firsts I intend to have this year both in terms of personal growth and my art. This year I intend to focus on the bigger idea of living as an artist, to cast my nets wider. I want to lay the foundation of a future involvement in art that will fulfill all aspect of my nature, and my character.
I am a self-created person and artist in almost every way. I grew up without a structure of support or guidance, and so I have taken education, whether art or life, as an a la carte offering, taking only what I wanted and discarding the rest, with a single-mindedness boldness that both preserved and limited me.
This year, I am standing outside, looking up. I want to see just how high I can reach in ten years’ time, if I start now, today.
I hope that I will be brave enough to find my limit.
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Oh Alison, I completely applaud you for what you have done and how you have done it. What we do is the hardest thing but the most rewarding don’t you think? Every day has challenges of its own – some of which are of our own making – but the courage to step out of the shadows takes a particular kind of person. That person is you and that makes me very proud.
Good luck to you and thanks for writing a post that we ALL can relate too.
Swarez
Alison I so support your intentions and direction. When we approach life and our art as you are, the results are often greater than we first could imagine. Your article is an inspiration for all of us following our creative spirits. Thank you. And good luck! I will be watching to see just how high you will be able to fly with such persistence and grace. Terrill
Thank you so much for your support. I wish you the best in your art life, too.
You are very kind; deciding what matters to in life will guide me, I hope. Good luck in your art, too!
You are a kind, generous, and extremely talented friend. But wait – there’s more! Your serious approach to your art and your dedication to the art practicalities that really make your art approach unique and successful (plus that whole talent part, too.) It’s so hard to balance art and all the rest of your life, but your balance mastery consistently impresses me. Now when is the Alison Jardine Approach to Art Tutorial coming out?! 🙂
Thank you so much Julia 🙂 I know you weren’t entirely serious in your last comment, but honestly, the only thing I have to teach is that there is nothing to teach 🙂
I am amazed that you’ve done so much last year for your art, Alison! It inspires me that you do not want to rest, instead setting up a higher top for yourself to reach! way to go! I also set up a plan for 10 years from now how do I want my personal and creative life to look like. I am a little frustrated now though that my plans for this year are not playing out yet as I intend them to go..but that’s life, isn’t it? I need more artists-business people around me to stay in touch with so I can learn faster and more effective. Will it be ok if you will a virtual art friend to me?
Thank you in advance.
Oleksandra
Alison, I saw your art at Laura Moore’s gallery on Saturday and I was so thrilled! I’m an amateur photographer and light writing just fascinates me. I hope you don’t mind that I linked to your blog. Best of luck with your solo show!