A piece of art, discovered by social media

I am a member of the #hashtagmafia, if you aren’t a member of the family, and want to learn more, you can read about us. Anyway, one of the members, @magicbartender, icon caught my eye. I clicked on her link on her profile (*reason 1 of why you should have a link in your profile, but that’s another post) and was taken to her artwork. It was there that I fell head over heels for this beautiful abandoned 1940′s Pontiac. The green and blue sends a feeling of passion, heart and a cool calm. The broken windshield and the rusted fenders tell me of a life of use, and a car left to pass before her time. So, I had to contact the artsit, ask her motivation, find out what inspired her to create this piece. I expected a simple little “here’s why”, but what I got was an amazing story, a story of struggle and work that anyone who has ever tried to do something they loved, failed, and kept going, must read. Here is the story behind “Distingue”:

Recently, I took time off work. Mainly for “health”. Then, one day I painted a painting for the first time in YEARS. That was IT. Now, I cant see stopping again & hope I never have to!

But, I had forgotten that the struggle to find a style & technique of my own, had never been settled in my heart & soul. After all, the last 20+ yrs were spent raising my four kids, staying married (LOL) & working. Which had left little time to paint. There were ALWAYS crafts and fun art going on. But there was no soul cleansing, solitary, spirit renewing ART. You know, just for ME!

But I was quickly reminded you don’t just say…”I’m gonna paint”! EVERY piece was taking more time to “work through” then the time I was spending with brush in hand. It just wasn’t working…I wasn’t feeling it AT ALL!! It was quite disheartening. Because I KNOW I have to do this!

I started joining art communities, visiting blogs, watching videos, and still. My end results were so disappointing to ME!! And, as I think anyone who creates will say as well, Your OWN satisfaction is more important in the long run, than ANYONE else’s approval. Well…as long as you have food everyday! LOL

So, last Spring, I made a plan. I would devote ALL my energy, to finding my art! If I’m honest with myself, I didn’t have ALL the time in the world anymore, age DOES creep up on us all. And everyday is a GIFT!

I virtually cut myself off from all outside influences, started with what I LOVE…
the Old, Classic & Timeless. I traveled here & there, I took lots of pics., went to the Art museums. And sketched my ‘lil fingers off. And then set to mixing, blending and experimenting. I threw out EVERYTHING I was ever told to ALWAYS do, and to NEVER do.

So now I am so excited everyday to paint what I will call a kinda “rural decay”! That state & the place that time has brought things. Found/Discovered! Everything that was, something to someone once! The…Rusty, dusty, overgrown, abandoned…cars trucks trains planes, farms & their equipment. Lighthouses, railroad, factories, rooms &/or their contents, ruins. THIS painting is a beautiful example of just that. The things I stumble upon when walking in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes like a walk through a time warp. I think all my Art contains an Expressionist vision. I continuously try to depict the subjective emotions and responses that objects and events arouse in me! And always include qualities of highly subjective, personal, spontaneous self-expression! No two of my pieces are ever alike! They are MY vision ALONE!

Thank you Sue for sharing your story – and giving us all a little inspiration to do what we love, without worry about the should and should not.

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