Landscape Paintings On Display
Next week Cafe Artysana will be displaying my watercolor and gouache landscape paintings during October. It’s exciting to share these pieces publicly and locally. It just goes to show you, patience and perseverance are part of sharing art because I’ve been building my relationship with local venues over the last couple of years. I recently subscribed to an online art course in which the teacher said, “You’ll show and sell your work when you don’t care about showing and selling it.” His meaning was based on the fact that you need to paint to fulfill your own desire to paint and express yourself. Not to impress, seek attention, or become a millionaire. He encourages paying attention to your passions, curiosity, and joy in the process of painting. But his words rankled me. I know, I know. It’s about giving, exploring, and sharing rather than about wanting attention, wanting money, or getting to a place in the future.
But how do you balance enjoying the present process with goals for the future? During and after the course I focused on my meditation and turning back to the “drawing board,” I‘ve been exploring and trying out new techniques. And felt what he was saying. It’s pure joy to get in the flow of painting rather than thinking about “results”.
Come back to the present and come back to joy.
Suddenly, all in one week, I heard back from three venues that want to show my paintings. Was it the energy of letting go? Was it synchronicity or just damn luck? Who knows, but the lesson for me is about being present, welcoming joy, and gratitude for the ability to make art and share it. Okay, enough new-age love fest. The point is, I’m enjoying making art, and I believe we all can. We just have to let go of the vision we have of what it should be, where it should go, and who should appreciate it. It is the actual process of making it that sustains artists, not the results. Make something, put it down, and make the next. Do your best and you’ll be better tomorrow, too. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share it now, too. Learn from others. Continue to pay attention to what lights you up and translate that onto the canvas or page.
Café Artysana, Carrer de Dénia, 49 Valencia
ArtySana is a cafe that offers a comfortable venue with good food, vegetarian options, and refreshing drinks. They describe themselves as more than a cafe; it's a collaboration of talent. On every wall, you'll find exhibitions by local and international artists that are not only for viewing but also for sale. I’m excited to be included in the month of October.