to build a fire

So, the show in Washington Square has drawn to a close, and I am back home with my family.  New York City is, as always, filled with the most fascinating people.  I enjoy meeting these people so much- from a gifted accordian playing woman, to an enthusiastic and soft spoken man from Kenya.  I find myself sometimes wishing I had a studio a little bit closer to the city, so that I could entice these people to sit for a painting.

I’m pleased to say that the painting of Patricia won fourth in show.  This painting, in particular, matters to me because it think it is a work with a unique fingerprint.  A music composer who stopped by my tent told me that with this painting “I was finding my voice.”  That compliment really resonated with me.  In addition to this prize, I had a sale, which I am greatful for.  The show was well attended, and I received enthusiastic compliments from so many people. In fact, I oftentimes found that there were so many people in my booth, that I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone.  Though, to be perfectly honest, my overall sales did not go as well as I had hoped.  I don’t claim to entirely understand, but my feeling is that the consumer confidence might be affected by a slow economy…  But I’m looking forward to my show next weekend, and who knows, there may be something great just around the bend.  And so, I’m just choosing to dwell on all of the good feedback that I received.

As I wait for my next show, this coming weekend on Long Island, I am thinking about my plan for the next wave of painting.  There are two figure paintings which I’ve been wanting to do, but have been delayed by general busy-ness.  This summer, I was able to get together with an artist whose work I deeply admire, Angel Sanchez Ramiro.  Having had a few really nice painting sessions and conversations with him, I was able to rethink and refine my approach to figure painting.  I learned how to incorporate my ability to draw into my large scale works- this is a real step forward for me, I believe!

And so, with enthusiastic reviews,  I am pushing forward and working even harder.  Margaret shares the same sense of determination and optimism.  In fact, before I came home from Manhattan, I stopped at one of my favorite bookstores, the Strand (on Broadway and 12th street.)  I picked up a short story by Jack London, To Build a Fire.  Before I began the long drive to Long Island, I read the story in a local cafe.  It’s only a few pages long, but it is such a powerful piece.  To Build a Fire is one of my favorite works of art.  Jack London has an endearing and inspiring way of slapping his readers’ faces, in order to remind them to keep moving forward.