So I got a few moments of fame in March – My piece “Learning to Say No in 520 Languages” was blogged about by BroadBlog and was picked up by MS. Magazine online under the section “What We’re Reading”http://msmagazine.com/blog/  They refresh the topics every 12 hours, but hey — My work was there on the home page.  You can read it now here:  http://broadblogs.com/2011/02/23/learning-to-say-no-in-520-languages/

So I’ve been musing on my inability to update my blog on a regular basis, I started thinking — why is it I treat myself and my work like “the redheaded stepchild” – pushing it to the back, unacknowledged and unwanted?  And hey, before anyone says I’m being politically incorrect – I WAS the red-headed stepchild.  I remember a time when a particular step-parent had guests over and as we all stood in the doorway, the dog got introduced before me, while I shifted uncomfortably and wanted to melt into the wallpaper.  Nice, eh?

Hummm, that really makes me think and reaffirms my convictions.  I DO have something to say, it is important, and I can express it very strongly in my work.  In fact I just got accepted into a juried show titled “by and for: Democracy and Art,” at Avenue 50 Gallery in LA.  So why is it I mince my words and so rarely say what I think?  I know being polite and appropriate controls a lot of how I outwardly express myself.  But art can change the world.  Strong visual images can say what words can not.  Make people think, make people feel.

I’m a blonde now due to the fabulous work of Jessica Russo in San Francisco.  So goodbye redheaded-stepchild, and watch out blondie, I’ve got something to say!

I can not express the importance of blending in with your artwork.  Matching handbags and boots are key to your success!  Are you color coordinated?  Wearing the best and latest labels?

In all seriousness, this could not be further from the truth…  blending in or copying everyone else is NOT the way to go.  To quote Fleetwood Mac (and to show my age): “You can go your own way, Go your own way, You can call it, Another lonely day, Go your own way “.   Finding your own voice and creating your own style is essential, it may take a lifetime to do it, but what else are you going to do anyway?

I go to shows all the time and sometimes am amazed at artists that are almost directly copying other artists; either following the “style” of the day or copying masters.   It makes me crazy, about 6 years ago everyone was pouring resin over their paintings and now there is an onslaught of the little monster, graffiti  style art.   Yes, imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I often wonder — aren’t they embarrassed by this sort of plagiarism?  To anyone who has studied art history even a bit, these gaffes stick out like a sore thumb.  It’s been over 20 years now, but in a print making class in college I thought I discovered this fabulous artist and pretty much directly copied it.  It was a large linoleum block and took days just to create the plate.  I showed the finished, beautifully pulled print that my classmates were in envy of, and showed it to my professor.  “Ah, you like Jean Dubuffet…” she immediately said.  My face gets red even now thinking of it.

It is wonderful to study the work of other artists that you love and it is natural to be influenced by them; one of my biggest influences is Squeak Carnwath.  But start with being inspired by others and then create your own voice, your own work that uniquely reflects your thoughts and vision.

And get the boots, you’ll create better work  just wearing them!