I am an artist! My art is good!
I’m still getting used to these labels and ideas. And I need to keep saying them to myself to keep the sound turned down on the “vampire voices,” as Michelle Ward might say. My business (re)launch helped give me a bit of confidence to begin and continue that trend.
And Alicia Campos Masso has provided an opportunity to practice that confidence through the art show she organized: Tribute to 100 Women in Art History. The show is going now through early September at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. I attend the opening reception for the show on Friday, June 14.
The assignment
Some months ago, I saw the call to arts advertisement. The show would be made of art created by women artists, and those art pieces would be inspired by women in art history. You could be assigned an artist, or you could choose one. I was assigned Maria Cosway.
After receiving my assignment, I cruised through some of the works Maria produced that I could find online. I chose her piece, titled “Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire.” Georgiana was interpreted as the moon goddess Diana or Artemis, depending on if you prefer the Roman or Greek pantheon.
I’ve always had a strong affinity for the moon, so it was a perfect fit. And also a terrible one for my style of work, because I rarely create people-looking art. So I set myself up for a challenge, for sure!!
The process
The size limitation for the project was 48×48″, so I decided to challenge myself by going to the max that way as well. This is my biggest piece to date.
Over the months, I sketched and plotted my piece on my huge-to-me canvas. After some initial scribbling to get over the fear of an empty canvas, I sketched in a the loose shape of Mother Moon in chalk.
Then I put the moon behind her using a moon stencil. I added clouds and layers to the clouds.
I reflected on the impressions that first come to mind when I think of the moon. Here’s some thoughts and images I put in my poetry notebook:
The poem I wrote and the inspiration picture guided me for her skin and clothes, and forced me into experimental mode! The idea of silvery light directed me to try aluminum foil for her skin. Using foil in the way I did in this piece to get the look I was going for was definitely a challenge. And I loved the flowy look of her clothes, which made me wonder if could get that effect in a 3D fashion. I did some experimental play in my mixed media sketchbook before getting enough confidence to try it on the canvas.
I knew I wanted to include words in this piece somehow. For the words, I started Googling for a cool quote. When I couldn’t find what I wanted, I resorted to my own talents and skills and wrote something. I connected with how her journey must be, circling and flying high upon the Earth. And I connected with the effect she has on me when I look at her.
Final Thoughts
When I finished “Mother Moon,” I smiled. And I wanted to give her a hug.
In the midst of that feeling, there was also a sense of “people are going to think a kindergartener made this.” She is so incredibly shiny!! Luminous. Anywhere that might look white is probably actually shiny metal. And there’s cotton in the clouds. (And in her bra, if she’s wearing one.) I just left her hands alone for fear of making them look … well … even less human-y. I think I would do her eyes differently. I would have gotten a canvas that was more in the proportions of the original. Going square is definitely different…
And then I bounce back to that feeling of joy and recognition of the Mother Moon I love talking to when she’s shining full in the sky!
Now I’ve seen it hanging on a wall with 100 other pieces of art made by women, inspired by other women in art history. All of their artworks are wonderful. And so is mine!
I am an artist, and my art is good!! And, I guess now I’m a woman in art history too!!
I hope someone connects with Mother Moon, and she finds her perfect forever home. (If this is you, head over to the Dunedin Fine Art Center, or contact them!)
What’s next?
Grant Peeples, an artist of many trades, says that a professional artist does their work “because you HAVE to, because your a*s is on fire and this is the only way to put the fire out.” Well, my ass is on fire. It might be a sautee sort of flame right now, but the fire is there. I will always create. And I’ll always be looking for those people who connect with my art and my offerings. Thank you if you are one of them!!!
I’m excited to be a part of Alicia’s show focused on Medusa coming up later this year. My artwork is already finished for that one, and I love her so much! Stay tuned for that.
Otherwise, I want to share my fire with you and others! Creativity is a human need and right, and I want to help folks connect with creativity in a holistic way: through weaving together reflection, journaling, and creating! Join me for my in-person workshop in the St. Pete, FL area on June 26 or virtually on June 29!!