Inspire Me Thursday - Best of 2007

These two pieces signify just how big 2007 was for me. They were both coop pieces and they are named Hope(the black hole) and Transformation(the tree and heart).

Hope came to me as I was riding home from working in the coop the first day. It was a flash I couldn't get out of my head so I drew it on a piece of paper in my car at the first stop I could make. It was my first official art piece. Shortly after I started it, the theme for our new opening in our new gallery was the black and white show. As you can see it was a divine intervention. It was also the most difficult piece of work I have ever done in my life. For many years that black hole was my life but the only thing that kept me from the darkness was the hand reaching out of it and my belief in the universe. Nobody else knew the depth of my sorrows but expressing them through hope helped me move through and away from them. Luckily I did the hand and the gold accents first to help me through the tedious black stitches(and the pain associated with them).

The second piece was called Transformation. It was a sister piece to Hope that was supposed to be the second gallery show in the new coop building. It was also an Artists at Work piece. We were supposed to work on it when we were there so people could see art in action. It signified just how transformed I was inside myself with the bright colors and the winding stitches of color throughout. It has since become my signature piece. Actually I did not sell either of them in the coop although there were many times I thought they would be sold. I guess because they are so personal to me, where I have been and where I hope to be they are still mine.

The coop was the biggest gift of the last year. I learned so much most of it good but some of it bad, what I learned the most is that I am an artist no matter what others may think. I also learned that one must accept themselves as is and not to back down even when it is easier to just go merrily along. That was also huge. I have always been the happy smiley little mouse, instead of the complicated artist with a lot of baggage that I am. I can finally look back on the year and my time in the coop with gratitude for all it has taught me about myself, my work, and how to deal with other people. It was a mostly wonderful experience that was as helpful as a trip abroad for a year.

I am also grateful for my wonderful husband, my wonderful son and my wonderful friends, especially my friend Emily who is the best friend I've ever had. I am also grateful for the introduction to the blogging world. I have seen and met the most amazing things and people and found that being an artist is kind of a universal feeling. So in closing this one out on this New Year's Eve. I hope that all of us have a lovely, wonderful, creative, healthy, artistic new year and thank you.