As artists, we learn to adapt the resources that are available to us – whether they are limited, or plentiful. Our creative vision finds ways to manifest. The soul is resourceful.
No model? No studio lighting? No props? No assistant? No problem. The song will be sung regardless. History has proved it.
It’s funny how life has a way of tossing unexpected opportunities at our feet. Lately, I’ve noticed that the biggies are directly linked to cause and effect circumstances. For example, participating in the international exhibition in Chianciano, Italy, in 2010 directly lead to my curating the recent Canadian debut of Pulitzer Prize winner Lonnie Schlein’s exhibition, “Editing the World,” at the WKP Kennedy Gallery. This in turn lead to Mr. Schlein asking me to continue working with him, which is a real honour for me.
In the past ten years, I’ve also managed to make a little splash in cyberspace by either creating and/or maintaining a number of websites. In March, I was asked by Brenda Dyack, founder and owner of ART MINE and design in Australia, to help redesign her website and launch a new promotional campaign, which we are currently working on. This in turn lead to an invitation to Canberra in 2013, as well as looking into several Artist Residency programs in the area. Australia? That’s what I mean by cause and effect.
When opportunity knocks, open the door! You can be sure that something good is likely to happen, and that that something is likely to lead to something even better. The secret to a full and rewarding life is to generate positive energy, and to be open to what the universe has to give back.
Today, I had a conversation with Lonnie Schlein, and we talked about ideas for a lecture he is giving next month in Italy at an international art event. We have been preoccupied with the business of selling our art this past year — in my case, the raven series created on the iPhone, and in his case, the photographs in his touring exhibition.
I have many thoughts on the pitfalls of the commodification of art — which in my opinion has contaminated art, and exiled the muse.
It is detrimental to the creative process for artists to distract themselves with selling — what might sell, what won’t sell, what should sell, what would make something sellable, etc. Pure art comes from the soul, and its aroma is that of honesty and truth, no matter how sweet or pungent. The dollar is a false muse, the fruits of which have no scent at all, and her sister has become an endangered species.
I never realized before now the origin of the word MUSEUM — in Greek, mouseion literally means “seat of the Muses.” Hmmmm… I feel a project coming on…
Michelle LaRiviere 