Comments on: Knock, Knock http://paintedprayerbook.com/2008/02/18/knock-knock/ Artist and writer Jan Richardson explores the intersections of word & image & faith. Wed, 16 May 2012 18:35:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bonnie http://paintedprayerbook.com/2008/02/18/knock-knock/#comment-123 Bonnie Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:28:55 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=75#comment-123 WOW! How timely, for I too, am knocking. For days (well, really weeks) I have been looking at works of others that inspire me, thinking: Why am I so focused on their work...on the artists themselves? I don't want my work to look like theirs, I want my work to be MINE - yet I feel so drawn to their works, their "signature". I feel I am at a crossroads with my art - but where do I go from here? These works of others are a passionate blending of their lives and their creative efforts. How do I bring this passion into my own work? And then in the deep dark quite of the other night it came to me (Thank you, Spirit!)...listen to YOUR heart...live YOUR passion...let YOUR values, beliefs, passions, guide your creative efforts...be courageous...be YOURself. I jotted this down on a notepad by my bed and went to sleep. The next morning, I awoke with many ideas of how to spend my time in my studio this year - experimenting with new techniques, honing current skills, exploring new materials, creating pieces that bring me joy and reflect my life and values - that will shine the light and love of God. My pen flowed continuously as I filled page after page in my journal, asking myself these questions: What is MY heart saying? What makes My heart sing? What are MY passions? What are MY values, beliefs? I feel an excitement about the possibilities - one that I haven't felt in a while. WOW! How timely, for I too, am knocking. For days (well, really weeks) I have been looking at works of others that inspire me, thinking: Why am I so focused on their work…on the artists themselves? I don’t want my work to look like theirs, I want my work to be MINE – yet I feel so drawn to their works, their “signature”. I feel I am at a crossroads with my art – but where do I go from here? These works of others are a passionate blending of their lives and their creative efforts. How do I bring this passion into my own work?

And then in the deep dark quite of the other night it came to me (Thank you, Spirit!)…listen to YOUR heart…live YOUR passion…let YOUR values, beliefs, passions, guide your creative efforts…be courageous…be YOURself. I jotted this down on a notepad by my bed and went to sleep. The next morning, I awoke with many ideas of how to spend my time in my studio this year – experimenting with new techniques, honing current skills, exploring new materials, creating pieces that bring me joy and reflect my life and values – that will shine the light and love of God. My pen flowed continuously as I filled page after page in my journal, asking myself these questions: What is MY heart saying? What makes My heart sing? What are MY passions? What are MY values, beliefs? I feel an excitement about the possibilities – one that I haven’t felt in a while.

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