Making My Mark

"Mom, I thought this was your job!"

   A while back, a friend called and pleaded with me to give her husband, Don (also a friend of mine) a call. They had recently renovated their home and, above the garage, had created a spectacular studio — spacious and large, complete with skylights.  Truly, a gorgeous space. 
 
   The couple then tried to decided who would get to use the new room.  Don had recently retired and he expressed his desire to spend his days making art. He had always longed to have his own personal space to create in and, after a brief debate, he got his wish. The room would be his art studio! He immediately moved in his new art supplies.

   Sounds dreamy for Don, right?  Well, months had passed, but nothing was happening in this studio. The new canvases all remained bare. Don’s wife eventually called me hoping I could somehow spur him on.
 
   What had happened here was no mystery to me.  It is what I call [cue dramatic music] “The Fear of The Blank Canvas”. When we are left alone with emptiness, the challenge inevitably presents itself, What do I do when there’s nothing here to respond or react to?  With only a void, there seems to be nothing to make sense of, to change, to manipulate, to push, pull, or create from.  Or… maybe, there are endless possibilities. 

   In either case, we face the question, Where do I start?  And this is precisely when the anxiety arises …

   [I’m sure there’s another name for this phenomenon, and I’m sure it doesn’t just happen to artists staring at a blank canvas. Anyone who spends any time creating things has, no doubt, felt similarly paralyzed.]

   When I spoke with Don, I encouraged him to get into his studio with the intention to simply make a mark on the canvas.  I told him, just put something down – anything – and, then, step back from it.  
 
   I am now writing about my friend Don because I think I need to take my own advice. For many months, I’ve been wanting to start my blog.  I’ve had all sorts of really good, seemingly valid reasons why I haven’t made a “mark” here.  Today, however, none of them matters much. Because today, I am making my mark. I am putting something down – anything– and, then, I will step back.
 

   I feel thrilled to be here and excited to have started the process of pushing and pulling, and creating something from this blank space.   I deeply appreciate your company as we travel this journey together.

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9 Comments

  1. Eleanor August 1, 2011 at 7:05 am #

    It works the same way with writing: the blank page is terrifying, but just starting gets the process rolling (most of the time). I work with an artist who’s fond of saying “Just throw it down and see what happens.” So true. I love your work.
    Eleanor

    • Gloria August 1, 2011 at 9:16 am #

      Hi Eleanor, I absolutely love the “Just throw it down and see what happens” quote. Thank you for joining me here and for your appreciation of my work. 🙂

  2. janice bowley July 19, 2011 at 9:14 pm #

    I enjoy your painting every time I go to the Concord co-op. I know both of you from the Concord/ Merrimack County SPCA. You were awsome then and even more so now

    • Gloria July 19, 2011 at 11:37 pm #

      Thanks Janice, I definitely remember you. If you are still at the SPCA you might spread the word that our boy Trucker is once again going to make his mark in print. This time the August issue of NH magazine.

  3. Miriam Hughes July 19, 2011 at 7:46 pm #

    Great blog and good information! I look forward to reading it a lot!

    • Gloria July 19, 2011 at 11:29 pm #

      Thanks Miriam. It is always a pleasure to connect with my fellow artists.

  4. Lisa N Valero July 19, 2011 at 7:24 pm #

    HURRAY and WOOHOOOO!!!! and YOU GO GIRL!!! 🙂
    Wonderful Gloria! I am so looking forward to your blog! Long or short, deep or light, it will be a joy!
    Enjoy your run around the yard in celebration, because, after the first stroke, it will come.
    Your fabulous paintings are such a wonderful insight to the soul and relationship between a loved pet and the loving parent; your magnificent photos and your ‘stories’ with them are such an inspiration — you always bring joy to my day!
    It will be an honor and a pleasure to support you here, while I watch your reach grow.
    Congratulations!
    Warm hugs and smoozes for Dozer!!! 🙂 ♥♥♥

    • Gloria July 19, 2011 at 11:28 pm #

      Thanks Lisa, You always bring joy to my day too. It still amazes me how animals and the internet help bring us all together. 😉

      • Lisa N Valero July 20, 2011 at 1:10 pm #

        Thank you Gloria!!!! It is truly amazing! You have to love the internet for that!
        Animals have always brought people together, the fabulous thing is that we get to ‘meet’ people from all over the world! Love it!!! ♥

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