Monday, December 5, 2011

Communication

I spend quite a lot of time thinking about relationships. It is a major theme in my art, and I believe relationships are one of the most significant forces in our lives. In particular, I think our relationships with other people can be life changing. As an artist, my life tends to be filled with solitude, and I often find myself closing people out so that I can paint. Lately, however, I have begun to realize that I need other people. It is time to carve out a bit more space in my life and my heart for people: face to face, quality time with people I am fond of. Even if it means one less painting is born.

I know that there is risk involved. When we open our hearts to another, there is always the chance we will be hurt by them. In fact, it seems inevitable that we will eventually hurt someone we love, unintentionally or purposefully. But that is no reason to close ourselves off. There is much more to be gained by taking the risk to love and be loved, and this is what we must remember. This is what I say to myself.

We all know that communication is essential to any relationship, and just like anything else worth doing, it must be practiced. Non artists might not realize that one of the reasons an artist creates art is because it is how we are most comfortable communicating. It is a form of self-discovery, but art is also how artists say things that seem impossible to convey any other way.
"Revealing Light." Monotype, 5 x 7 inches.
 Do we spend so much time afraid of saying the wrong thing that we end up saying nothing at all?

4 comments:

Deb Ammerman said...

I love your Monotype, and am glad to hear you are reaching out and finding friends to play with. :) I am still friends with a girl I went to high school with, and I also have another friend that I spend time with that I have known since I was a little girl, wouldn't trade the time I spend with either one of them for the world.

Patty said...

Another option is that we paint our responses in our minds. Not a very good way to hold a conversation.
You're so very right Karine, we do need to remind ourselves to engage, and be kind to ourselves when we need the practice.

ArtPropelled said...

Such a striking monotype! I relate so much to this and your tree post, Karine. The problem with cutting oneself off is when you do go out into the world it feels strange. I'm always putting my foot in it!

Unknown said...

Hi all,
It takes so much courage to engage with others, in art as well as in our relationships, doesn't it?

Thanks for your comments. Yes, Robyn, I tend to feel incredibly awkward when I have been isolated in the studio for too long.

Patty, I have often been guilty of painting my response in my head and never putting it out there. Good reminder.

Deb, You are right, girlfriends are so important!!! You know you've found a good one if you don't see each other for awhile, but when you do connect, it's as though no time has passed at all. I love that.