EXCERPTS FROM A TALK GIVEN AT TOASTMASTERS: The "what" that moves my brush

I am challenged to respond and tell you about the “what” that moves my brush!


Passion! It is plain and simple. The motivational source that moves my brush on the canvas is a passion born out of vision.

The visions are different for each painting. Once I see the image in my head, my heart takes flight, and I begin to paint.

My definition for “vision” in this instance is an idea born from my soul and spirit. More correctly, my heart becomes the inner eye. If it is in my heart, I am thrust ahead in anticipation. Anticipation stirs into a strong sense of belief I call passion.

To help you attach substance to these abstract terms, I will tell you what inspired me to paint Eulogy in Lavender and how I painted it.

• EULOGY IN LAVENDER is a painting done in soft pastels. This is becoming one of my favorite mediums. Soft Pastels are immediate and can be very expressive. Even though it is a dry medium, a finished work is still referred to as a painting.

Several years ago I became one of the caregivers to my younger sister, Clare. At the young age of 55, Clare had brain cancer that settled in her lower spine. In her final days she slept on her stomach and I saw only one side of her face. We had laughed together, gone to the beach together, arranged flowers together. When Clare died, images gathered in my mind displaying a collage of memories. I painted those memories with a passion born out of sorrow and joy. We had reconciled many differences that separated us through the years. And, I believe Clare rests now in a better place. EULOGY is a tribute to my sister.

 

I hope my sharing will give you a greater curiosity in your approach to the artworks of today.

When you look at my work, I hope you sense life and vigor in what you see. Let this challenge you to analyze the passion that hides behind each piece. You just might discover the “what” that “moves my brush!”