A very successful artist/teacher once told me, "an artist is like a magician." If we place the right color in the right place at the right time, magically a splendid image will appear. Well, I would add one more component to the magician. That is the art of juggling. Magically we manage to paint our passion and juggle life's other callings. Callings like: responsibilities to an aging parent, selling a house, taking care of a grandson, caring for a spouse who just had surgery, making meals, and all the other apples that fly in the air over the easel. If we are lucky, these apples ripen, get consumed, and are replaced with a new harvest, magically.
What also is magic is my undying, ongoing, lifelong, and cherished passion for ANYTHING about painting. For 35 years I have been juggling to keep this passion alive, nurtured, and growing simply because I must.
In the coming months, three cities in the United States will have the grand pleasure of hosting an exhibit on loan from Amsterdam. We are fortunate the Rijksmuseum needs renovation. We are also fortunate the Dutch people like to share their treasures. Dayton Art Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and Portland Art Museum are the lucky recipients where these treasures will reside for three months each. Because of the exhibit, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art we will all see the magic.
Margret –
Your paintings are gorgeous! I’m so glad to read your post about juggling apples. I’m a fiber artist with two sons, ages 6 and 10, my husband has his own business, and there are days that seem to fly by without my getting a single hour in the studio. I feel better knowing that other artists face this also, and that it won’t change as I get older. The circumstances may be different, but ultimately, women are caregivers no matter what our age. I’ve started my own blog and that keeps me motivated and on track. I know I need to post often! mariapeaglerquilts.blogspot.com