New York City in Spring

Artist Statement

Who looks back at me

Through the glass?

I look into her eyes

And wonder about her life.

Paper women

Traced from memory

Echo my soul.

April 5th from The Artist Way Every Day

" We're fed a great deal of romance surrounding the lonely lot of the artist. Over a recent weekend, teaching in San Francisco, I asked for a show of hands from all the people who believed an artist's life would be lonely. In a room filled with two hundred people, nearly two hundred hands went up. Believing this, we can try to live it out- a prospect that makes for a great deal of pain. The truth is that creativity occurs in clusters. Consider Paris in the twenties and the cluster that built up around Gertrude Stein's hospitality. Consider the Bloomsbury Group convening for cocktails and inadvertently launching a movement. It can be argued that successful art is built on successful friendships. It  can certainly be said that friends are what enable an artist to go the distance. "

Resistance

I am the master of resistance when it comes to actually sitting down, by myself and making art. Every possible chore, phone call, even cleaning clamors for my attention first. Much has been written about art and resistance so I take heart in knowing I am not alone. Yet, I am alone, in my house, feeling tormented by resistance.

Julia Cameron cracks resistance open in her writing. " The Artist Way" is a brilliant book that many artists and writers are familiar with but few have ever finished. ( including myself ) The reason most folks can't get past chapter one and the morning pages is simple; it is too much work. Making a commitment to oneself and ones creative spirit is hard on so many levels and there are so many voices trying to talk us out of it.

I have thought fleetingly about a studio but it seems extravagant and unrealistic given my transient life. The solution came when a printmaking friend suggested forming an art group with likeminded artists. Initially four of us started meeting at "The Algiers ", a funky middle eastern coffee house that has been in Harvard Square since I can remember. Over cappuccinos and falafels we got to know each other. We talked about books, kids, health, our art and resistance. " The Artist Way " was the book we all agreed to read. A schedule of every other Friday was established as well as what we wanted to do together. The first week was gelatin printing. After that it's cut paper and stencils. I love the idea of community, be it a writing group or an art group.

Love

Wherever he went

whoever he met

there was love.

Teddy 12/31/1999-3/28/2011

When my mother died I would sit at my writing desk to write thank you notes and cry. I had a ritual; every Thursday I left work early and got lunch at The Cheese Shop. I would set lunch up on a pretty plate and pour myself a glass of red wine. On sunny days I would watch the light dance through the bare branches of the birch trees. On cloudy, rain driven days I would watch the dark brown leaves swirling desperately around. My mother died in November and I did this every Thursday through the winter.

Now, I am here again eleven years later, heart heavy as a stone. A big black crow caws loudly on the lawn. I want him to go away. Today I will clean up all of our beloved Tedsey's marrow bones leaving nothing for the crow to come for. Today I will put his bowl away and his rawhide flips and his pills. This afternoon we will say goodbye, for now, and let him start his glorious life in heaven. Are we ready? No, but we know he is. He has been the light of our lives for 11 years and 3 months. I often wondered if he was the reincarnation of all the people I have loved and lost. He was more human than any dog I have ever known.

Teddy taught us about love and connection. He was so hooked into people and so, so happy. He wagged his tail to the end, literally. When we brought him to the vet for his last visit he wagged his tail for Dr. Fischer; sweet and brave to the end. There will never be another dog like our dear Tedsey. We have all been blessed; so many lessons learned from a loving, brave and happy dog. If we could all be so present, happy and loving what a world it would be.