Paintings, Exhibitions, Workshops and Mental Torment!

Hello!

As some of you have so kindly pointed out, it has been a while.

You see, I tried to blame it all on computer problems but that wasn't really the whole truth. Lately I have been oscillating on so many levels within myself that it's hard to sometimes put pen to paper/fingers to keyboard and express the state of my consciousness.

To add to that, my horse, 'Carp Diem', recently bolted with me on it's back, racing to the gallows. Mercifully my executioner showed compassion and sent me on my way, after the punishment of a few lashings to the heart.

Exhibitions
Since last posting I've put work in 2 exhibitions, one being for me a success: "Meeting" as shown below, sold.

I felt the other exhibition was a disaster. I mean, how does one painting sell (one out of one is 100%), and out of 8 in the other exhibition none sell? (0 out of 100 is not even 1% - shit hey?)
Ok, it's not a disaster in the big scheme, but it puts me in a state of discomfort! As a friend of mine said the other day, "If I don't sell work I'll shrivel up and die" - and same goes for me... I could go back to my old life doing a well paid job, in a corporate environment that I'll most probably hate, but that would be shunting my soul into reverse, and then I may as well shrivel up and die too. So this is why I like to sell my work and why unsuccessful exhibitions bug me; and a 'bugged' creative spirit is a spirit that tends to not create - one of lifes vicious cycles ay?

New Arena
Over the past few months I have been dabbling in abstract work. The left side of my brain bullies the right side never leaving it alone long enough; always reigning it back in to the realms of logical reasoning. It's like politics - the constant battle between left and right wing!

Inspite of this battle I have completed a couple of paintings in a style I want to experiment more with...here's a peak:
"Fop" and "Minion"


Workshops
On a different tack, I have resumed painting workshops. As always places are limited in numbers so that you receive the most from me. I'm also happy to do one on one's. Contact me if you can make it to the Perth metro area and are interested in exploring your creativity or discovering a new found talent while working with acrylic paints and related mediums. Here are some photos from the most recent workshop - these ladies had no idea they were so talented!



Finally

Today as I typed an email to a friend it dawned on me that my oft recurring internal battle as to which direction to move in regarding my work does not come from a lack of desire or talent but the foundation of what holds me back is the immense desire to explore so many areas. This together with my hunger for knowledge and desire to succeed coupled with the fact that time is ever ticking puts me in a state of fear. I fear time will run out!
When I was seven I had a teacher that wasn't very nice. She said the biggest word that I had ever heard in my short life, "Procrastination". Procrastination is the thief of time - today I am going to get on my horse, the one you read about earlier called Carp Diem - this time I will direct the way... and it won't be to the gallows!

With this I leave you till next time.
Carmen