Art in the time of covid has some new benefits. Time for reflection and watching my nephew make art look easy. Keep it simple and learn to let go. This issue covers:

Change - Black Lives Matter
Let it Go - an art technique for life
New old paintings for sale
Finn Maki - 8-year-old artist

First I must say - I'm glad that people are protesting so long and loud over the brutal killing of George Floyd. It gives me hope that people are willing to expend such energy and demand change. I am ready for a world where this does not happen anymore, where people take the time and political action to make sure it does not. Thank you, protestors, for making a strong stand for change!

Carnival - a let it go painting

"Carnival" is my newest piece. I consider it one of my free-flowing technique pieces. There are paintings like this where I just let go of planning or trying to instill a particular meaning. These pieces often surprise me and become my favorites. Well, this 12"x12" is just like that! I'll have to do some side views because the edges are just as fun and different as the surface.⁠
⁠
I'm learning to let go of preconceived notions. I am learning to not care about the outcome, to be good to myself. Inside my head, I find all kinds of should's. I should this, I should have that. I regret that I did not... I cannot believe how hard I am on me. I work hard to let up on myself. These paintings are meditations on letting go. Let go of control, expectations, shame, guilt. Let things happen and unwind and become exactly what they need to be. It creeps back in over and over - and I have to fight it back just as hard each time. Fight to let go.

So while I worked on this, I stopped judging, stopped thinking this looks good, this looks bad, and just started putting pieces together, land where they may. My technique becomes a buddhist meditation on how I hope to live my life.
⁠
Whatever you're obsessing about, let it go!

Old-time Telephone, Mixed Media on Paper

I recently re-acquired a ton of art that I did some years ago. My art agent sold off a lot of these pieces and just recently gave back the ones she didn't sell. It's so fun to have them in the studio again. This was at the beginning of my move to paper. You can see the Chinese joss paper creeping in, well actually taking over, in a good way. This one is 9"x11.5". If you are interested in this or something similar, I can send over some choices. Let me know.

Skim Board by Finn Maki

OK, so I'm not a parent so I don't get to enjoy the wonder of children the way that some of you do. But I do have some nieces and nephews, though they live far away. I know they're trying to keep busy during quarantine, so I sent some art supplies. This guy stunned me with his talent and creativity. My nephew Finn is only 8 years old, but within a couple hours of receiving some Posca paint pens, he painted his skim board. I think it's is just awesome. Good composition and color and a solid understanding of his materials. OK, I quit art already.

Bring in the new generation with boundless creativity, the protesting spirit and belief that the world can be a better place - no matter how bleak it feels at times. Thank you so much, Finn. I love it!

Let it Go - Lessons in Art and Life