Artist Interrupted
The Journey Continues
A few years ago I declared myself a joyologist and set off on a journey to share joy with others and be an encourager. I knew full well that joy was not the absence of trials, but the presence of faith. That “peace that passes understanding” was my strength and foundation.
After a terrible fire tore through our California town, I was struck with grief for so many hurting people. The devastation was overwhelming. I wanted to comfort and restore what was lost. Some people shared amazing stories about how they had been blessed in the tragedy. Digging through the rubble revealed treasures spared from the heat and some things transformed into something beautiful and new. I joined Art From The Ashes to collaborate with other artists to create art out of the destruction. The idea of making something beautiful out of the ugly destruction really spoke to my heart. The melted and charred pieces seemed to call to me. They wanted to be something more.
As an artist, I mostly paint realistic watercolors, so working with three dimensional assemblage was new to me. The varied medium really freed me creatively. I was no longer bringing a planned image out from a white sheet of paper, I was transforming and creating something unknown and unexpected with no rules. The limitations of the reclaimed pieces opened my mind to try new things. The puzzle of unifying brittle glass and melted chrome was so satisfying that I would often forget the tragedy behind each fragment.
I donated several pieces to the Art From The Ashes Seeds Of Regrowth art show and my works helped raise money for the community. I later showed and sold one of my favorites in the West Coast Biannual Art Show at Turtle Bay Museum called “Pleasant Landing.”
I had hopes of having my own show as many of my works tied together to tell a story of hope and regrowth. What is it they say about the best laid plans? Well, fast forward through a small car accident, a plandemic, too many fires to count, and a move across the country. Now, as the dust settles I ask myself, “what now?” “Is there an audience for reclaimed fire rubble in a green oasis that never catches fire?” “Do the assemblages work on their own without the background context?” “Do I now have a different story to tell?”
I'm not sure what the answers are, but I am happy to be in a place where I can finally start asking the questions. Most of my art is still packed in storage along with an embarrassing collection of burnt rubble. I still want to create more assemblage art, but it will have to wait until my home gets built and I have an art studio. For now, I am content to paint my mushroom studies and whatever calls to me next.
And as for my joy, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12
My joy comes from the Lord.
Signed, the not so jaded joyologist
Sis this is so cool to read on the anniversary of our Art Out If The Ashes time together. My fb reminded me that we did this three years ago. It was yet another adventure to share with you. But the grief was so raw all around us. Ti create was to heal. So blessed to heal and create with you. Love you.