offered to help out on a whim last week and I'm glad I did. The principal wanted the school's E-STEM logo that was created by a now graduated 5th grader on the wall as you walk into the school just past the office. Come Monday morning I packed up a work bucket, showed up, found my painting partner Amber (PTA heavyweight and fellow artist) and we got ready to get to it. Luckily for me the stencil was already on the wall and she had already done some work on it. Since we were working while school was in session there was an almost constant flow of onlookers. I couldn't believe how many compliments on it we got during the process, from parents, kids and staff. You know kids wont lie to save your feelings! It was such a change from my usual process because I've never painted with an audience before or with a partner. It was a lot to get used to. I really enjoyed all the immediate positive feedback but getting distracted when I'm so used to having earbuds in and jammin out in my own little world was new. We were both new to working on a single project with someone else, a learning process for the both of us but with our different skill sets plus our colorful personalities it worked out well. I never expected to be sad when my work was done. About an hour before I was leaving as I was wrapping my part up I started to get that sinking sad feeling like when you're about to leave a friend you don't get to see nearly often enough. Even with my knees bruised, back and arms tired and hands completely cramped up I still was sad for it to be over. I truly enjoyed the experience and most definitely see myself seeking out more of this kind of thing. It got me thinking though about the impact of art on the artist and the viewer, and my previous notions about it all. I emotionally feel more for my personal works and feel like they have more soul BUT seeing and hearing the reactions and appreciation from the mural made me realize there was so much more feeling for the viewer on some pieces regardless if I personally consider it merely a painting and not art. Seems as though the artists opinion of their art own work hardly matters in the end. What a kick in the gut. I see this leaving me to ponder for quite some time....... as always, MUCH LOVE- Lady Jane
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June 2015
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