~Pablo Picasso
It began with a wall.
A creative wall, that is, and one that I was eager to break through. I've been longing to finish up my current series, and move on to new things; but for one reason or another, I've been stuck --both on, and off, the canvas.
The take-out box has been for what you take with you, from your experiences in life. Dine In, Take Out. I've enjoyed playing with that idea.
The TV has been for the deliberate numbing, or drowning out, of that which you've taken, but you aren't ready to 'digest.' But lately, the TV has come to represent more of a cycle, for me; I worked on these same three pieces all summer, and I'd paint in the figures, only to paint them out, over and over again. I began to see the absurd in my creating, only to destroy, these three paintings ... I wasn't really getting anywhere.
Whenever it goes thus for too long, I put aside my painting, and play with assemblage instead. Todd knows how much I love random found objects, and that's why he surprised me with the forks, which of course I loved, and put to good use:
I'm a great believer in Serendipity, and this instance is no exception. The fork is an excellent visual representation for being 'Done!' -and I've really enjoyed playing with this whole new form of take-out; I feel that it mirrors my own situation perfectly. The time has come, it says, to clear your plate, so that you may be excused from the table. Release what is no longer necessary, and make room for new adventures.
I've really let myself enjoy the forks, and I'm happy to say they've worked their way into my acrylics, as well.
I was ready to let the forks carry me to the finish line in 2012. What I wasn't prepared for, was the way other people would respond to the forks, and embrace the idea of being Done:
They are saying 'Done' to the old, and making room for the new. Just being in their company has been energizing. I'm now feeling ready to tackle my studio full of half-finished paintings, and get some things Done, myself.
It ended with a wall:
All other photos: Todd Powers Photography
"Shiva is that aspect of the divine which is both creation and destruction -- the cosmic dancer who dances the universe into existence and non-existence at the same time, and outside of time." ~Sheila Chandra
'Stick a fork in me, I'm done!'
Special thanks to: Todd Powers, Poet Bakersfield, David Karnowski, Lavinia Marigold, Zack Forker, Devin Riane, Sarah Purdy, Robin Jonesensteinowitz, Katie Campbell, Jesse Arenas, Lisa Klassen-Barnes and Brenden Barnes, Allyce Owens, Lisa Bell, Natalie Ray, Fortino Alvarez, Lucy Cruz, Tsunami McCorvey, Jessica Franco, Christinev Bayb, Baby Lilli, Tabitha Paige Bruner, Brenda Saucedo.