Life is difficult. Those are the first 3 words in the book The Road Less Travelled which I read many years ago. The book goes on to say that life gets a little easier once you realize it is difficult. I have heard of and read many other books through the years to help creative artists function in life: The Artist’s Way, The War of Art, Art and Fear, The Art Spirit and more. Ultimately I think each of us has to figure out life as best we can for ourselves. Find what works for you, and do that. One thing that I have found that helps me function better (and feel better) is to make a to do list with short time durations to get specific things done.
I also think expressing our thoughts and struggles in words and drawings and paintings is a positive way to explore life and our thoughts about it. I hope all of you reading this can manage today to spend some focused time on things you are passionate about. (It is amazing to me that too often I can choose to waste time instead of spend it on things I care about doing!)

November 9, 2023

I came across a quote a few minutes ago that reminded me of what I think is the most important quality of my best art: expressing my emotions and struggles in my art and reaching out to others who are touched by my emotions, and they emotionally respond to my art. Below is a painting I did over a decade ago that expresses me (as a treetch) trying to break free into the light… making a great effort to break free of the chains of fear, frustration, darkness, confusion and despair. I am reminded that expressing struggles like that to the world is what I think I want to do more of with my art now and in the future. The last few years I have not done that as much.

The quote I came across a few minutes ago is: “Good art emotionally moves the artist and then it stirs the emotions of the viewer. Most art isn’t good, even though much is technically executed well, because most people run from what stirs them. Find what moves you, the shadow things and the brief deeply happy times and translate that into your subject. Give little glimpses into your soul and others will gravitate to your work, even if it isn’t technically perfect.” @StargardenCottage