The Pull...

I was born an Artist, a Painter. It’s the life I’ve lived. My creative road has been a circuitous one. More like a roller coaster, than a road. Ups, downs, highs, lows, peaks, and valleys. We live many different lives inside our one life, but the one constant for me is being an Artist.

Scenes from Sac State, "Kadema Palm" Acrylic on Canvas

This said, you can imagine the existential and identity crisis one may go through when not painting for a signicant period of time, not have the energy to focus on painting.

Though grateful to have work, and extra gratefulness for the specific job I hold, it does rather soak up all of my energy, especially my creative energy.

The pull to transmit that energy to others, to support others in the Art community, to do my job, is strong. While my own practice fades to the background for the first time in my life.

Background noise.

It's important to me to not only continue my work as an Artist, but also to continue to be seen as an Artist. No matter the shift in production, promotion, and practice from my earlier days. I'm navigating this new reality, my painting life taking a back seat. I'm enjoying my role of supporting young Artists, the Art Students of Sac State, and on many levels it's a relief to let go of certain expectations I used to have for my creative business.

The pull to paint is still here, and I'm finding a way do it. Balance. A lifetime seeking balance.

Thankful the pull is still here.

Happy Painting!

Michelle