Who inspires you?

Retro Mood 1-12x12 acrylic $500

Do you remember the song (don’t know the title) but the words are “First gear, second gear. third gear, fourth gear to win the race”?  This applies to my friend Renee Phillips who I’ve never met in person.  I’ve known her for a few years but all of a sudden (maybe not so sudden) she has gotten in  4th gear and is writing for Art Calendar, is back to painting lovely paintings, and makes incredible jewelry (I own “Balance”)  plus she’s writing another book .  Her main occupation is coaching artists to help them in their career.      

I entered one of her juried shows (ManhattanArts.com)(see image) many years ago and she had me send 3 paintings for a show in her showroom in NYC.  After that I had her do some coaching for my bio and artists’ statement.  Through the years we have kept in touch and she inspires me to keep myself going to 4th gear.  I see her blossoming and also inspiring others (including me)with her wonderful spirit.

Transitions

Fall II 12x12 acrylic $650

Isn’t it funny how you go working  along (for me painting and marketing) and then  you come to a turn in the road and don’t know which way to go.  That is a transition.  There’s a stop sign there at the crossroad to give you a breathing space before you start up and make a decision.  Opportunities  ( you think) are everywhere but you really have to think about them for a while before you forge ahead  because some opportunities aren’t the best for you. 

I use to jump on most everything that crossed my path but found out that was wasted energy.  So I’m grateful for the transitions in my life to give me time to think and to grow into some opportunities instead of taking them all on.

Getting Up and Go

Lace & Tea 12x12 acrylic collage $650

Where does Energy go? One minute I’m fine and then suddenly I lost my GO.  That is why I really shouldn’t try to do “business work” when I’m taking a break from painting while my paint dries.  I swear that the internet takes a lot of energy.  I know better.   But hear this, I am so very very grateful to have this problem because I Get To Paint!

What is the Cost?

We Are Living - Mandala NFS

For the artist what is the cost of living without doing our art? What is the cost of losing artists to economics? Asia and Europe love the creation of art because they have lived with it longer and understand if a society doesn’t support the arts we become crass and boring.  Creation is God’s gift to us to bring a society to it’s fullest potential.  Even those who benefit directly don’t really understand the role artists play.

People have a misconception that artists are greedy because of their prices on their art.  I don’t think people understand how much it takes to be an artist these days and they aren’t doing for the money otherwise they wouldn’t work for pennies a day.  So what is the cost to society if you buy a poster instead of an original piece of artwork? You tell me.

Creativity is Hard Work

Soaring Flock 9x6 acrylic on paper $275

I get exhausted when I paint but exhilarated at the same time.  Creativity is hard work.   Making all kinds of decisions like shapes, colors, composition, plus deciding on what substrate to use, texture and what medium to use.  Writers, software designers and all other creatives have to decide on what they need. I think too about how to promote and market myself while trying to have a balanced life.

 

Yes, there are artists who totally eat , breathe their art.  They do remarkably well but have no other life.  It is a choice to have balance but  I can’t stop the creativity and making my art even though it is hard work.  What would you choose?

My Mind and Focus

Dancing With Joy 36x12 Acrylic on board $1800.00

The last few weeks of summer has had my mind in a jumble.  But now that autumn and cooler weather is here I can move forward and be more focused or at least trying to be more focused.  I’ve pulled back on facebook and especially Twitter. It’s so easy to get lost with all of that.  It’s the chatter and games that people that are playing that keep me from really seeing the valuable stuff that is going on.

Good news though, I’ve been striking out in new ways in my paintings.  Enjoying my time with luscious paint.  Time when I’m not in the gym training, promoting my art work or spending time with my man.  My daughter has written a great book and I’ve done a little editing for her.  I am so blessed to have the present now.  The flow is there. I just choose to focus my mind on all the wonderful things that God has for me.

Finding Your Creative Self

Opening the World

“Finding Your Creative Self” is the workshop I teach to help people expand their thinking through making Mandalas. Tibetan Monks and Navajos use mandalas for healing.  That is why I like to help people step outside of their old way of thinking into  a free flowing  and liberating experience.

Creativity can be stifled at a very young age by people telling you can’t do something.  Maybe someone said something that  what you did was not worthy.  That happened to me.  I did crafts as a sometime hobby but  I went back to college and found a drawing class that brought out in me a wonderful and enduring passion to be a painter.  Being creative brought me a new world that I love while on this journey of life. 

I want to bring a gift of creativity to you. If you would like to know more about my workshops let me know. 1-602-576-0406 or e-mail me at Lori@landisart.com.

Emanio, To Flow, To Originate

Infinite Mandala NFS

While in the high mountains , I loved watching and hearing the Little Colorado River flowing downstream.  I loosen all the restraints of who I was to who I am through my creativity like painting, writing, teaching, speaking, marketing and promoting.  The Latin word Emanio means to flow, to originate.  I’m turning myself loose and seeing what flows out of me.

As a Virgo I’ve put on myself that I “had” to do work that galleries want, and I started to constrained myself for the perfect painting.  After watching the river flow, something moved inside me freeing me to just be me and Emanio to flow to originate.  To just enjoy the process of  doing all the above with abandon and joy.

Time To Fill Up

Mandala Aligning My Heart NFS

I don’t know if it’s the weather or or all the social media I’m doing or promoting my class “Finding Your Creative Self” but I’m tired.  Oh,  I’m starting an exercise program too and watching what I eat and drink.  Busyiness is not next to Godliness unless you pace yourself.  I need a break soon! 

I haven’t a clue of what path my art is going to take.  Taking myself away is the time to fill up with nature and dream and breathe. I haven’t even done much on all the media.  If I quiet myself I can listen to the Holy Spirit touching my soul and rejoice again in my art work and feel peace.  So we’re going to the mountains soon (can’t wait) and sit by a stream and have one cup of COFFEE.  Little pleasures mean a lot.

Vulnerability and Creativity

Center Within 36x12 acrylic on board $1800

Opening your heart and soul to the Spirit and being vulnerable to feelings can bring magic to whatever you create.  I watched “So You Think You Can Dance” last night and was so touched by a dance called “Breast Cancer” by Tyce Diorio.   The dancers had tears after they finished, the judges cried, I cried. It was beautiful and showed vulnerability at the same time.  When I create I want the magic to come from The Source.  Have you created something that wasn’t really you but it was so powerful it took your breath away.

I believe that is why we are co-creators.  Our mission is to uplift not just ourselves but the world just by creating.  I have had that experience of someone who stood in front of one of my paintings and felt that Spiritual connection and told me  it brought  her to tears.  That is only once that I’m aware but it doesn’t happen unless you are being true to yourselves by being vulnerable and balanced.  I had lost that part of me until I started working with a Spiritual coach and now I’m working with a Body Talk coach to heal my body.  Balance brings me back to my Center and there is where I create.