The Art Of Being Alone

In art, I am alone. Alone in my head while I'm thinking about what I want to paint. Alone when I search and search the land for inspiration. Alone while I sketch ideas however quick or lengthy. Alone when I finally make my palette and begin putting color onto the beautiful wood surface. Alone through the entire process of emotions that stir while I build and build on that same surface. Alone when I need to run away from the work, alone when I can't figure out what color should be here or there, alone when I can't STAND what I'm looking at anymore, alone when something finally clicks and I can see the horizon and for the first time it looks amazing, alone when I apply the final highlights and alone when I step back and allow myself to fall in love with what I just labored over for however many days and weeks and months. All alone here inside these walls, all alone here inside this head.

I wouldn't say I am a solitary creature - in fact, growing up the youngest of four kids I would say I NEED people around me. I love people around me. But in my work, I am so selfishly cut off from the world, cut out of the hustle and bustle and so completely satisfied beyond words being alone.

My next show is coming. August 12th. I have little time left to create the final pieces to be included in the show, and I know what waits for me in that time. I'll share with you perhaps a bit of the odd (to put it elegantly) headspace that I will be falling into. Here I go...