Now a first-timer of First Thursday

First Thursday was a wonderful experience to the extent that there was great receptivity to my work, that all of my business cards disappeared, and that my prices were equally seemingly well-received. Having directly tested my work in the marketplace, I believe that last detail about prices can be trusted...
So naming the reality of the artist/ single-mom in transition from deep healing, to much deep nurturing, into the world of work, etc... One simply cannot finance an American life as a single woman who is NOT, dependent on "male" income-ability_ by compliments alone. Wish it were true. But then how else can a general maturity concerning the desire to consciously surround a life in beauty, occur? What are you worth? These are incredibly worthy thoughts!
A cognizant sense of response-ability is what distinguishes the collector of art from unconscious frenzy trend-following. Art is a tradition of work, rich in history and work ethic that makes room for the entire being in the process of creating, no matter who one's employer might ultimately be; Pope, Emperor, self...
The cost to me to set up my booth is enormous right now. Saying so quite forthrightly, I must respectfully request that one's perceptions which may be rooted in that traditionally pedantic sense of unresolved Puritan shame-reactionism; concerning HOW to define and accomplish the fruits of one's labor, as only looking like the expected mainstream defined sources of work-for-pay_ I forthrightly request these reactions be kept to oneself.

Can American people of socially mainstream/ traditional perspectives begin to do this kind of self-observation consciously?

Ok_right here, right now_ that is that. Stress over everything on the tenuous bridge of transition swallows up one's ability to breath, and get enough oxygen to the brain that could otherwise bathe one's capacity for inspired thought were one able to breathe without undue stress! So, come on America, stop being so insecurely stand-offish about intelligent cultural reflection. Do you like my work? Then, I say, get on with solidly matronizing/patronizing my work_ I have a life to live, and messages of beauty to chorus into the betterment of this world! Reacting can go on ad infinitum, such is the drastic battle of the ego identity in it's false belief that letting go to wisdom, means some dramatically final death... reaction can just be a stuck place, simply put. Trust yourself more_ clearly resolved of reaction!
I am also grateful to have been at the First Thursday in The Pearl street booth event, as I would not have these experiences to respond to, otherwise. For these alone as it turns out, I am the richer, and wiser! You, the onlooker? What have you taken away in your eyes that consciously connects you to your heart...?
Which brings me to the observation that this blog may need to begin an evolution for the purposes of being in a "more" public, professional context: strictly focused on the images for instance. But not to hastily will I adjust this particular detail just yet. One's differences in communication, perception, etc... is so layered and varied, and hence complicated that this kind of switch may be prudent only in the long run after all. This realization too, came about last night as result of the experiences of being there_ thank-you Portland, sincerely!


Waiting, oil

First Thursdays for newcomer and ungalleried artists

I have spent a little time since arriving in Portland with some of the painters who regularly keep booths at the Saturday Market. What I have learned from them respectively, is that First Thursday in The Pearl is a good place for artists without gallery representation to show and sell original works, and actually make money.Hence, I am throwing my hat in that ring this coming Thursday since it is the first one of August.
Traditional employment is not panning out with any efficiency, and so my efforts to be a cross-over or cultural hybrid income production-wise are stuck in the inertia of social goo.
Maybe returning somewhat to my true calling out in the marketplace will, if not meet the requirements of the universal life force, attract the support of guardian angels at least...
In Corvallis, I have been blessed for nineteen years to have the benefits of a relationship with a very special matron to my art work_ at ninety-seven, her name is still Hope. Perhaps Portland will be so benevolent. Perhaps a few of my dreams of a community that is seeking my work will begin to come toward what I do, in this bigger pond. To be sure, I am the newbie here, and still dusted with the inner idealism that is most easily preserved in small town life, particularly over thirty years.
As always, there is also the opportunity to be that patron, and pledge a guardian angel's support to my fiscal sponsorship account! Thanks for your continuing or developing vigilance concerning your own educational exposure to art appreciation, and proactive collecting, and for your continued support for all the arts that enliven your quality of life in healthy, and meaningful ways!

Just Another Girl from the Neighborhood, oil