The Art of Celebration

When reading fineartsonline's newsletter this past week, I ran across an article containing a statement that caught my eye and set me to thinking:  'If I believed art was a talent I would have given up long ago,' said Mark Allen Adams. 'The ability to create art is something that is earned through years of constant study and dedication.  It is not a gift given at birth.'  I agree with this statement only to a degree.  In my opinion, one may be given an aptitude or a gravitational interest in the arts, but making fine art takes work, study, commitment, and facing the block of clay, blank canvas or white paper every day.  Making art requires discipline and dedication as well as a willingness to fail over and over again, only to stand back up, brush oneself off and start over with all the confidence and hopefulness to begin again.

I feel that I have always followed creative pursuits in my life, from as early as I can remember (I have drawn from the age of 4).  Thanks to the influence of my sister, Norma Ann Waddill, I was encouraged to express myself freely, step by step, pushing myself and risking the drawing / painting / object.  By doing so, I was able to create something unique.  This is the fuel that has spurred me on.  The mystery of creating something new is a great motivation.  I personally find color to be quite inspiring.  If I add texture and a dose of unpredictability, it becomes very pleasing...actually, it translates into pure joy!

In expressing our creativity, when to we begin to see the world differently...?  I am not sure of the particular day or year that it occurred for me.  I just know that, over time, it happened.  It is only in the past few years that I have steadily progressed, seeing differently, honing my skills to become the artist that I am today.  When I reflect over the time I have spent making art, I realize how little I knew when I graduated from UT's Art School!  By finding a few minutes, if not hours, every day to work in my chosen profession, facing the white paper, I have allowed creating art, often intuitively, to take me to new heights of personal expression as I continue on my creative journey.

I grew up in a family that celebrated many occasions...St Patrick's Day and even Ground Hog Day had a significant place in our household's modus operandi.  However, celebrating birthdays was in its own class!  In my family, one's birthday was more important than Christmas.  I came to think of my special day as a pseudo state holiday of sorts, planning my party, creating a menu, etc., as my celebration generally announced the end of summer, since plans for returning to school soon followed.  Generally speaking, my birthday was a big deal!  I loved everything about it, including getting older. Today, I ignore the years a birthday marks, but find I still love the celebration!

I created a small series called Celebration to honor the traditions I had grown up with surrounding birthday festivities and the very act of celebrating.  Bright, flat color in favorite vibrant hues, painting in shapes that connote happy, jubilant times, I offer these as a testimony to the value of holding fast to the times in our lives when we honor and give attention to the miles we have traveled, the lessons we have learned, and to the progress we have made.

Celebration I

Celebration II


Celebration III

With this post, I honor my parents and the joy they brought to the simplest of days;  my sister for encouraging me creatively;  and my brothers for not raining on my parade, allowing me to celebrate my life to the fullest, one day, one accomplishment at a time. 

This weekend, I celebrate my day and the launching of my new website, Donna W. Goodwin, Fine Art.  Just click here to visit. 

Let's raise our glasses and enjoy...!  L'chaim...to life...!