OSMATIC ENERGY

 Before I get into this story I think it is important to tell you I had always thought I wanted (on some subconscious level) to see someone emotionally touched by one of my paintings

One lovely spring day my friend Lauren Savaiko and I went out to a local beach trail  to do a little plein air painting.  We set up on a short path to the beach.  Before us we could see the bay and in the distance Sandy Hook National Park.  We painted a while and gradually Lauren drifted to another place just slightly within hearing distance.  I was lost in the moment until I heard a women walking a dog coming up the trail behind me.
She began shouting angrily at me, "What are you doing in this path? You can't be here!"  She got up closer and said  "Oh My God! you're painting a picture of the trail"  She began to cry,
Through her sobbing I could hear her say,  "I must have that picture!"  I was stunned.  I have rarely seen anyone go through a range of emotions so quickly.  For that split second I thought, could my picture be that potent?

She than sobbed that "Last year, at this very spot", she had laid her beloved pet to rest.  We spoke awhile and I reassured her the painting was hers.
 Lauren had heard the commotion and came back to check that I was alright.  She thought something awful had transpired.  So much raw emotion in so short a time.

I would love to think that it was my work that had moved her, but I kind of doubt that.  I guess people always have there own reason that something speaks to them. That remains their business.  The artist delivers the item through an almost osmatic energy.

On her way back from the beach she collected the painting and than happily moved on.
I include her a quick photo of the painting referred to in the story above.

WHAT THE FOG REVEALS

Managed to get myself over to the Oceanic bridge which is particularly appealing in the early morning mist.  The tide was out so I could actually set up the easel on the sand and get the best view.  Breathtaking, peaceful, what a gift to me.

I had no choice but to be in the moment.  Working quickly to get down  the magnificence that was before me I felt challenged and had a sense that I was seeing things for the first time. Fog changes quickly, Now you see something, than it's gone, Some variables repeat themselves, others are one time events.

  In those moments there is a certain duality of experience, I lose my sense of time but am forced to keep up with my rapidly changing visual experience.  I am pushed by desire to capture what I see and make it mine.
See Fog Paintings below.

 

I NEED REMINDERS

John Salvi sent me an invitation to an art show charitable fundraiser(www.johnsalvi.net/) . He also sent a reminder the day before and another on the day of the event.  All a very good idea I believe as these things seem to slip my mind and it also conveyed the urgency of this event.  The show involved four very accomplished artists John Salvi, Mother-daughter Paula & MaryLou Shipman,and granddaughter, Angela Long and “soon to be"professional artists from our own Knollwood Middle School, Fair Haven and Little Silver Point Road School, Little Silver N.J..

All the walls in the house were full of beautiful paintings and John also filled the backyard
with his incredible abstracts.  I saw many red stickers, indicating sales, and I hope they raised alot of money for a local boy.

I always look forward to catching up with artist friends, seeing their work, seeing their progress. It's a good reminder when they talk about their process and their progress (or sometimes, lack there of.)  Another friend was there, Dawn Dittmar, a writer and stand-up comedian.  She is in the revision process for a book.  I eagerly look forward to seeing it in print.

How many conversations we all have shared on our work. Creative friends are a key element in developing artistically.  When I hear and see their out of the box solutions to problems I am set free to explore my own.  I can sit in my studio and create all day but my friends are key to having an authentic creative life.

FOLLOW YOUR OWN ADVICE

I told the lady, (Donna) that she should keep a log.  She had walked jauntily over to see what I was painting.

" After all" I said " Because you chronicled the new bridge being built and you are lovingly care taking the little boardwalk park, who could do better  than you, maybe even could turn it into a book later on."

When I got back to my studio, I pondered over the conversation.  Why don't I follow my own advice, so readily given, by blogging my plein air painting adventures?
Painting seems to be only half the experience, the other half is the interactions along the way. 
Lately I've been getting up early to paint the beach fog we get abundantly on May mornings in South Jersey.  Today I was critiqued by the sanitation workers here in the Highlands.  One spoke of past painters of the old bridge.  He particularly admired one man,  he had his card somewhere at home.  That was a great opportunity to give him one of my cards, but the moment got away from me.  I have to get better at that.  I have the cards, just not out where it would be easy.  When he was gone I got them out.

Also reminds me of going to shake Donna's hand when she introduced herself and seeing the ultraviolet paint all over my palm.  Caught it just in time, said we'd shake another day.  I did remember to give her my card.  Now that's growth!