What a thrill to read a comment left for me on ebay regarding this piece. The person explained how much the painting meant to them because their life experiences. They spelled out (with words) exactly what I was trying to convey (with paint).

You see, this striped dress is not just a funky folk art dress…it is a convict’s dress…and this jailbird has a look of peace on her face after being restored from the bondage of addiction. She is standing upright and strong.

As an artist, it is wonderful to feel “heard”.

It’s not like I always know what I am saying…but I always try to speak with paint.

I paint so many paintings (angels in particular) that it becomes difficult for me to title them all. Sometimes the name JuMps right out at me. Sometimes I know it BeForE I even begin. Sometimes I have even used the same title twice because they ReAllY were both called the same thing! Make sense? Then other times I have no idea and leave it blank. Yep, you’ve seen them…the unnamed pieces I offer. I do that because no name came to me and I don’t want to fake it. Maybe I do not wait long enough for it to come…or maybe SomEoNe eLSe is supposed to name it! Why do paintings have to have names anyways? The art should speak for itself.

I didn’t name the one above…but I wanted to. It’s times like these that I like to hear what others would say. What would you title this painting?

I FINALLY got in the groove…I have been painting for several days not knowing where I am headed…but now I have a vision!

The difficulty with inspiration is it can become consuming. On one hand I want it…I NEED it…but inspiration cares not for all other parts of life that need my attention too. Now that I have a glimpse of what to do for this show, I have to give myself to the process in order for it to manifest. Not many days left…I am thinking BlAcK wood, BlaCk metal, figures, birds, trees, and angels…Heaven and Earth…Sets that look good together…rich bold colors…

I finally ordered some business cards. When I am out and about wearing my painted clothes I get into conversations about art. People ask me if I paint…I just look at my pants and say, YEP. Then they ask me what I paint and such  and I start wishing I had a business card to hand them. I then proceed to fumble through my messy purse and end up writing “grittyjane” on a drive-thru receipt or something (REAL PROFESSIONAL, I KNOW!).

So, here it is…

I kept it really simple. The backside is blank so I can write additional info if needed. I like it and am looking forward to receiving them in the mail. I had some cards a long time ago but I changed my website and email so often the info ended up not applying and I was scratching things out and rewriting…

Now, I have just got to keep the same blog address (and last name) long enough to hand out 500 cards.

Things are progressing well. I have been working lots the last few days. Today I got up and started painting in my pjs…didn’t shower until the afternoon!

I’ve had a few moments where I wanted to call the Arts Council and say I just can’t do this…but that passes and inspiration comes. The pressure to produce artwork is nothing new for me really…so I press on.

I have been trying to think up a theme for this body of work but I do not know that I am in control of where art takes me…if that makes any sense. Like, I thought Tattered Saints sounded good and I could picture myself doing a series of angels and saints that were highly distressed. But, then I started thinking about trees and birds and Springtime which is just around the corner…I don’t know if I can stay focused on one idea and create everything to revolve around it. Perhaps I just need to work and paint whatever I want and then consider a theme.

Thank you to my online friends for your prayers and support. I need it! Look how crazy I am…