...He said "Life has been your Art; you have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets".
I especially appreciate Mr. Wilde's observation because it mirrors my own belief that we make our lives a work of art...or not.Every thing you do, every decision you make, small and large, grand or infinitesimal, adds to the tapestry you're creating. I know from my own well-worn path, however, that it is easy to get lost in the quest and lose sight of the value of the journey.
It is important to have life goals, to have an attainable mission for not only each day, but for the long haul. When the quest becomes the sole motivator in your life, though, you are losing yourself incrementally; you are discarding the genuine articles that comprise the landscape of your life.
Sometimes it's about staying grounded, having an anchor that keeps you focused not just on the horizon, but on what's truly precious in your life. For some that may be your significant other or family; for many it may be your work. Sometimes it's as simple as picking up a tomato or a plum.
No, it really doesn't have to be an actual tomato or plum, but just in case you need one to help you achieve feet-planted-in-the-fully-present, here is one I recently painted. At the summer shows, I was amazed at how fast these little fruit and veggie studies got snapped up, almost as fast as I could paint them.
I don't think that was a coincidence. I get the sense people are working at trying to re-connect with the earth, with that which gives balance to the rush-rush-hurry-go of thier frenetic daily hustle. Little paintings like this, product of earth's yield and seasonal movement, seem to be reassuring, engaging because they are so familiar, yet seen in perhaps a novel way that illuminates new thought, renewed appreciation.
"There is not a single work of Art that has not in the end added to the inner freedom of each person that has known and loved it". ( Albert Camus)
I'd like to think that maybe these small works may have an aspect of precious-ness for you; allow you to focus, at least momentarily, on something fully connected to life energy, full of promise and the hope of renewal.
As always, you may purchase this and many others of my work at www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com.
all images and text copyrighted-Susi Franco 2008
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