An Invitation
Yesterday an invitation arrived via email asking if I’d like to enter a piece of art into ARTIADE—The Olympics of Visual Art 2008 Beijing/Los Angeles. As an artist of no repute, one who maintains a constant art practice but without ambition, I was surprised to receive such an invitation. I knew nothing about ARTIADE until a visit to the website revealed a wondrous display of rather interesting art from the previous art Olympics in 2004 in Athens. Art is submitted from all over the world and an international jury selects pieces that reflect what artists are preoccupied with in different places. A brilliant concept and the invitation is an open one.
As for the invitation—well, my work is not as defined or as accomplished as what I see in the exhibit so my first thought was that I would not enter. I have nothing worthy of entering at the moment. That thought flitted through my mind. Then I had a better one. I received this invitation because Sarah Shallbetter at The Art Connection saw my art at the Joy Street open studios a couple of weeks ago and invited me to donate a piece to their organization which places art in hospitals and homeless shelters, places where the art might bring needed uplift. I was especially happy to say yes to Sarah’s offer because the art she appreciated was the very same art that had been rejected a couple of weeks before from a juried show. So the next thought I had was—Wow, this has come from that! So, let me just follow what comes to me. Let me say yes to yes, again.
So, without any other reason, with no viable work, I have decided to enter. This means doing new work and continuing to puzzle over what I can create visually and how. It’s a wonderful puzzle, one that never gets fully solved. I know what I want to share but what can I do visually that truly moves people?
Well, the more questions I ask, the more motivation I feel. A good thing. And all the while I carry on writing. Another yes. Life is very, very fine when you just flow with it.
December 11th, 2007 at 5:30 am
Wasn’t it ee cummings who wrote:
“i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes”
December 11th, 2007 at 5:37 am
That’s a quote I didn’t know. Yes is natural, for sure. Very glad to see this and thanks so much for sending, Debra! You are so wonderfully literary!
December 11th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
yes, staying soft in the flow is so helpful, isn’t it? And what a wonderful reflection of that…these invitations that come trickling in.
December 13th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Don’t you just love serendipitous days? Good for you for being open and willing….we never know what will come down the road and open new doors for us. Take care!