Last week I was getting an application ready to submit to the The Artist's Magazine. The form required me to enter the title of painting I wanted to submit in the figure category of their annual contest. This particular painting - of a woman crouching in a windswept field under a threatening sky - had stumped me. It stirred various emotions. I had some ideas, but nothing jumped out as the obvious name of the painting, so I called on my trusty Facebook connections to help me out.
I wasn't expecting much of a response, but boy was I wrong. It was so much fun to hear what everyone had to say, and to learn how this little painting made them feel. I am so appreciative of all the terrific suggestions, which did two things:
1. Proved to me that my art work can have meaning for other people, as it has for me.
2. Proved to me that all kinds of people will participate in the creative process if given a chance.
Here is the Facebook discussion.
As one who spends hours smooshing paint around, either in my studio or on walkabouts in the countryside, it was immensely reassuring to know that there are people out there who support and understand this crazy impulse to create something meaningful with paint.
Thank you all who helped me clarify my thoughts about this painting, ultimately named "Demeter" by Craig Bellet.
