In preparation for a grant submission I sat down and decided what topic I wanted to explore in my paintings for the next year. I came up with many fantastical ideas my art support team (my husband and Mom) rejected. So I decided to focus on the importance of friendships between women.
Over the last two weeks I have worked desperately to finish one of the pieces already, I needed new work for a separate application. This painting is titled ‘A Safe Place to Grow’. While working on this piece from thought, to sketches, to color study, to finished piece, I had several people tell me what this means to them. They are all wonderful thoughts and all so different so I am hesitant to share my thoughts on this idea leaving it open to you to find meaning in it. I am trying some new painting ideas within this pieces. I am using more texture in the figures and skin tones and adding flora in a circa 1400 (medieval) type painting ideal. I am looking forward to continuing these new explorations.
Unfortunately I didn’t get the grant, but the positive side is that my application forced me to flush out my ideas and create a timeline. By next year I will have at least 8 paintings on this theme to show together. Right now to show them together I will be self-curating. (side note, if you know anyone who may be interested in this topic and want to show these pieces together please send me their contact information.)
I have 6 pieces in the works, so I definitely need more ideas on what friendship mean. I would love to hear what friendship means to you, feel free to comment or send me a message through my contact form on the importance of friendship in your life.