Of late, my creative activity has taken the form of finger painting, play doh, make believe and the like-all involving my almost 2 year old granddaughter. I’ve spent quite a few weeks away from the studio over the last year in her company, whether on vacation or caring for her in her home in Washington. In a way, it has been reminiscent of the days when my own children were young and I had put “my” art on hold while engaging them in similar activities. We always had paper, paints etc set up on a huge art table in our home but I rarely did my own work. Still, it was satisfying in its own way, to see the many projects our kids and their friends created.
For the first time in months, I was in town and able to participate in our Second Fridays Open Studios in The Fine Arts Building. After spending so much time with the above mentioned 2 year old, I felt a bit rusty when it came to discussing my work while doing demonstrations. I was feeling a bit “off” you might say.
We always have a real mix of visitors to our open studios-all ages and all walks of life. Most come because they’re curious about our historic building and then, happily it seems, wander into one studio or another that sparks their interest. I like to think our studio is one that surprises-my studio mate demonstrating encaustic techniques and I with watercolor on that slick Yupo surface. To many, it’s new and, therefore, interesting.
One set of visitors, a mom and her daughter, came by near the end of the evening. The young daughter, mom said, was very much into art and wanted to come to the Open Studios. We were experiencing a lull in the evening and so launched into our demos, afterwards asking our young friend to try her hand at encaustic, then watercolor. Very quickly, I was reminded that this is what I most enjoy about art. Showing a young person something new and encouraging them to try it. It also reminded me of the fun, both when my children were young, and over the last year with my granddaughter, seeing the spark of creative energy and watching it grow.
In a follow up email, the mom of the budding artist said she spent the weekend creating art and shared a photo of a painting she made. It was a beautiful, flowing painting with lovely energy-so wonderful to see and a reminder that, through art, making connections with others is most gratifying.
For the first time in months, I was in town and able to participate in our Second Fridays Open Studios in The Fine Arts Building. After spending so much time with the above mentioned 2 year old, I felt a bit rusty when it came to discussing my work while doing demonstrations. I was feeling a bit “off” you might say.
We always have a real mix of visitors to our open studios-all ages and all walks of life. Most come because they’re curious about our historic building and then, happily it seems, wander into one studio or another that sparks their interest. I like to think our studio is one that surprises-my studio mate demonstrating encaustic techniques and I with watercolor on that slick Yupo surface. To many, it’s new and, therefore, interesting.
One set of visitors, a mom and her daughter, came by near the end of the evening. The young daughter, mom said, was very much into art and wanted to come to the Open Studios. We were experiencing a lull in the evening and so launched into our demos, afterwards asking our young friend to try her hand at encaustic, then watercolor. Very quickly, I was reminded that this is what I most enjoy about art. Showing a young person something new and encouraging them to try it. It also reminded me of the fun, both when my children were young, and over the last year with my granddaughter, seeing the spark of creative energy and watching it grow.
In a follow up email, the mom of the budding artist said she spent the weekend creating art and shared a photo of a painting she made. It was a beautiful, flowing painting with lovely energy-so wonderful to see and a reminder that, through art, making connections with others is most gratifying.
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