Life being an Artist is NOT EASY. You get used to people saying you walk to the beat of your own drum. They give you the head tilt with the questioning eyes. Unless you go to school and major in Art it goes against that grain of being a business major and then going to work as an Accountant. I have a degree in Building Construction Management. Nowadays there is great competition and everyone is an Artist. The thing is...I truly believe that EVERYONE is an Artist. So EMBRACING that Artist and not being your own biggest critic is such a struggle.
I remember taking a photography class and the photographer was showing her signature shot. She gave the recipe for her signture shot and how to capture it. I raised my hand and said "this is so great however I don't want your shot...I want my own shot". It was there that I put togther that the elements she shared were bits and pieces I need to find my signature shot. (Ironically that same photographer was not so happy people were "copying" her shot).
As an Artist I have taken classes from many different Artists I admire. I am always learning....I have been adapting my unique "style" for a very long time. I continue to grow and evolve.....I share/teach what I have learned....I take chances. I sometimes leap and HOPE wings grow when I paint. I am reminded that the process is not easy and comparing yourself to others is so easy to fall into. Embracing that Artist has become a process.
My Friend Susie Wolfe shared this link with me:
Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
Susie said and I hope she does not mind me sharing "I really enjoyed your "Monday Madness" this week....It was a pleasure to watch you pull out of that "hot mess" and create something you (and I) just loved!! This was one of the best things you've done and very true to YOU. I loved the colors .. although they made no sense to me …. somehow it just worked. I loved watching how you "just knew" you needed to use certain things, but then allowed others to just develop. You have a natural eye for value contrast and I think that is a lot of what makes a successful painting. Congrats!"
Here is that piece....
Sometimes that "hot mess" does not go where I hope it goes but other times it takes a turn that I absolutely LOVE. But she hit it on the head. When I create what is TRUE TO ME there is no right and wrong. Finding those elements to perfect your "signature shot" is part of the process. Find your "special thing". I am thankful to those who share their Art with me inspired by our Mixed Media Mondays:
My hope is that every Mixed Media Monday you are finding techniques and inspiration. I am proud of the community we have where it is fun and safe to share our work to grow as Artists and embrace who we are. I will see you tonight for Mixed Media Monday!
"Success never comes to look for you while you wait around thinking about it. You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do. Knowledge is basically useless without action. Good things don’t come to those who wait; they come to those who work on meaningful goals. Ask yourself what’s really important and then have the courage to build your life around your answer."
What a beautiful blog entry. I have tears in my eyes and don't know why, except that this touched my heart. Maybe it is the day and all that is happening around me, but I do know that if I didn't have art in my life, although I may spin my wheels a lot, it would be a much harder thing to get up everyday! My journey to find my style....my creative style....would not be moving along if not for your encouragement and the Monday night group!
sending you hugs until I can do it in person! :D
Posted by: mary friederichsen | Monday, February 03, 2014 at 02:25 PM
Tracy - LOVE that video! I enjoy Mondays and seeing everyone's own spin on it!
Posted by: mjmarmo | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 03:25 AM
thank you for appearing on my screen one day...you are an inspiration.
Posted by: bonnsasato | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 04:58 AM
This was very inspiring to me! I am guilty of watching endless people share their art, then doing nothing. I attempt to do a few pieces, get discouraged because mine aren't "good enough" to enter on the blog, then throw them in a drawer. I need to find the "courage"(my word of the year) to just "DO IT"! I may have to listen to you and Ira a few more times before it sinks in lol
Posted by: Debbie Dunham | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 05:54 AM
tracy, where can i watch the video of you creating this? i love the color contrast and the 'pieced together' feel. i want to see how you did it :)
Posted by: alice | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 07:41 AM
http://tracywburgos.typepad.com/treasure_the_momentlove_l/2014/01/mixed-media-monday-re-cap-12713-love-grows.html here you go Alice. That was last week's Mixed Media Monday :)
Posted by: Tracy Weinzapfel | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 07:44 AM
Debbie, I always say to "Let It Go"........now it is time for you to GO FOR IT! You can do it!
Posted by: Tracy Weinzapfel | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 07:45 AM
Thank you for deciding to come along this art journey with me!!
Posted by: Tracy Weinzapfel | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 07:45 AM
Jean...thank you! From day one it has been fun to be on this journey with you and share our love for art!
Posted by: Tracy Weinzapfel | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 07:45 AM
Mary, you are beautiful inside and out and I feel so fortunate for our chance meeting. Sometimes spinning the wheels is so part of that process. You know I do that too. One foot in front of the other and do what you love! ♥ ♥ ♥
Posted by: Tracy Weinzapfel | Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 07:46 AM
thank you!
Posted by: alice | Wednesday, February 05, 2014 at 08:47 AM
OMG...I was just looking for one of your earlier (like probably last years) posts and as I was scrolling through posts I saw a piece that looked like mine!! Well to my surprise it was!! Thank you soooooo much for posting my "love grows" piece, that of course was inspired by you, on your blog!!! You really are soo fun and I love what you create every week!! Thank you, thank you, mwah, mwahhhhhh!!!!
Posted by: ildiko miskell | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 02:49 PM
As I was scrolling through you're blog looking for a post you posted forever ago I noticed a piece of art that looked like mine!! Well that's because it was!!! OMG...I almost fell over! My piece on Tacy's blog no way but yup there it is!! Thank you sooooo much for all you're amazing inspiration every week!! Mwahhhh...
Posted by: ildiko miskell | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:06 PM
I usually try to tag everyone Ildiko...sorry if I missed you. Love you and your art and it should be shared!
Posted by: Tracy Weinzapfel | Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 03:54 PM