This week I dropped off three paintings at the Attleboro Arts Museum for its annual members’ exhibition. I had been focused on selecting three pieces from my body of work that I thought were ready to go out into the world. Then I prepped and framed them. Going through my stack of unstretched painted canvases quieted my mind and triggered a deep desire to paint more…a lot more…and for the sole sake of painting, not creating to sell.
I don’t know how much you all hear about quarter 4 (“Q4” – October, November, December). It probably depends on your line of work and the industries you're familiar with. For years, I was oblivious. The chatter of Q4 begins in the summer and makes me uncomfortable. In re-launching my art business earlier this year, I connected with a few artist circles. I stuck with those focused on art-making – producing beauty, thought, and joy. I distanced myself from those prioritizing revenue. Starting at summer's end, the latter began scrambling to design holiday products because the fourth quarter of the year is when many companies make their profits. In August, I want my toes in the sand, my hands in the soil, and my mind soaking in nature’s abundance. I am troubled by the thought of ignoring the deep gift of the present in exchange for a shallow promise of the future. Prior to the chatter, I had actually been designing a garden calendar for my own use with plans to eventually add it to my shop, but my motivation to finish it was tainted by this imposing outside drive to sell. Luckily a couple group shows came on my radar and distracted me from the famous (infamous?) Q4. As a result, I have no calendar to offer, and that’s OK.
If you are local to me, interested, and available, my next art opening will be at the Attleboro Arts Museum on December 7 from 2 to 4 PM. The exhibition will be up through 1/24/2025. Here’s a sneak peek of one of the pieces. Perhaps I will see some of you there.
With that artwork delivery behind me, I am turning my attention back to painting in order to finish three more pieces for another winter group show. I will, at some point, add paintings, art prints, and other objects to my online shop, and the garden calendar will be made; however, they will evolve on their own timeline irrespective of retail trends. In the meantime, you can find me contently mixing paint and experimenting with texture and images.
What calls you to live in the present?
Until next time,
joç
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