SNEAK PEEK REFLECTIONS FROM MY UPCOMING ART BOOK ABOUT PAINTING TREES

"I allowed my style description to be quite elusive.  I made it hard for even me, the artist in question, to grasp. Perhaps I thought too long on it.  When I finally just surrendered to not having the words to describe my paint style and process...suddenly I knew.

The artist standing next to the award winning painting, "Limbs on a Whim."

It was whispered to me in a dream one night.  As if approaching something holy...something sacred... it was uttered in the smallest whisper ever.  There it was, a clue to my signature style rooted in a mantra: you see it when you know it.

I thought to myself, this is different.  First I must know, then I will see?  But how was I to see what I did not know in order to know what I could not even see?  It was all rather confusing when I let my mind get in the way.  As this mystical mantra began to resonate and take root, two images of trees appeared.  I opened my eyes in a flash.  I sat straight up in bed. Staring at the blank wall in my room, I knew. I was to paint what I saw."  

**********************************************************

This dream was prompted by a question I had about identifying my "signature style."  It led to a discovery of some connection with trees I have through my painting.  I suppose I have yet to finish the lesson plans of my plant friends.

Although, the more I meditate through the medium of painting trees I grow more rings of truth and understanding about my true self.  I have a feeling I've only just begun.  Looks like I have some painting to do!   

How would you describe your style?  Would you call it a signature style?  Why or why not?  What are some words others associate with you and your style?    

NEW AND EMERGING SEATTLE ARTIST, JOLYN E. GARDNER JOINS THE ONYX FINE ART COLLECTIVE'S LATEST EXHIBITION

I am happy to announce that my work will grace a wall at Seattle City Hall next month!  The Onyx Fine Arts Collective is hosting an exhibition and selected my award winning painting, Limbs on a Whim, as part of the show.  The exhibit runs March 6th to May 1st.

This opportunity serves as another confirmation that listening to one's heart is rewarded.  I am so excited to share my work with those walking in and out of the building.  What is interesting is that many of my legal colleagues will see my work and may or may not know that a lawyer did the work they are looking upon.

As I continue to build this relationship with painting, I see and hear about more and more opportunities to share my work.  I am truly on my way!

What type of work would you expect to see inside a government building?  Please share your thoughts in the comments.  If you have a friend who would like to view fine art in Seattle for free please share this post with them via email, Twitter, Facebook, and/or Google+!

WHEN ART CALLS, I SPEAK IN ACRYLIC...

Remember when I said my major art goal was to sell my first painting??  Well, it's not.  I realized that this goal is too small for me.  My art is so much bigger than a transaction!  So is 2013.  In the spirit of giving myself permission to issue permission slips as I see fit, DAB NAB IT, I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND!  I now desire to focus on *building a relationship with my art.  You know, painting for the sake of painting.  (I know, so novel, right?)  

Painting is my Peace and Joy.

Feel free to change your mind on some of your goals with the following caveat:

If you decide to change or revise a goal and the new goal would greatly cheat you out of some serious spiritual and personal growth and development then you may want to think again.

You see, simply selling a painting is really not that deep.  Sure, it's exciting (I'm assuming) but it fails to reach my deepest well of Peace and Joy.  

Visual art as a medium is what speaks to my spirit.  No words are needed.  It is perfect communication.  The very act of painting is my way of letting the Art within know that I am listening.  Ultimately our private conversation is captured and preserved on canvas.  This sacred conversation is the real aim here.  Selling is merely secondary. 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33-34, KJV)

In other words, make what brings you Peace and Joy the priority and everything else will follow. 

What medium does the art within speak to you?  Are you a writer?  A fashion designer?  Whatever forms it expresses itself in, it is all art! 


*All goal(s) and/or characterization of said goal(s) are subject to change upon receipt of permission issued by...

New Year, New Art Blog Adventure!

After reading a powerful book on planning for the new year, I have one major art goal: SELL MY FIRST PAINTING!

The reflection exercises I did, asked me some important questions like:
*What was my biggest accomplishment?
*What was my biggest disappointment?
*What were the lessons?

From this line of self inquiry, I realized I really want to SELL MY FIRST PAINTING!

31at31, will be dedicated to the pursuit of passion for profit.  That sounds weird but we all should be paid for sharing our gifts and talents with the world.  Don't you think so?!  I invite you to follow along with me as I take yet another exciting art journey!

My efforts will be targeted and purposeful.  So that I'm not going in blind I plan to:

*Interview some amazing local artists who have already enjoyed the success of selling their work. 
*Research and review epic books that give tips and strategies in the marketplace.
*Enter fine art exhibitions both locally and across the country.
*Create a beautiful collection of work to be sold.
*Host my very first solo exhibition featuring a collection of my latest work.
*Experiment with different social/marketing campaigns to gain exposure.
*...and so much more!

I can't believe I'm saying it out loud. This is one of the many things I see happening in 2013!  Do I know what I'm doing?  No.  Is that going to stop me?  Absolutely not!

I do know I want to share the ups and downs all while being held accountable through self reporting via this blog.

Subscribe to keep updated.  Comment to encourage me, leave your thoughts or offer some advice.  Hopefully, at the end of 2013 (if not sooner) we can celebrate my first sell together!  Who knows, maybe I will buy a round (wink)...

ART OF MY SOUL DAY 17: A LIST OF 31 OTHER THINGS ARTISTS DO THAT DO NOT INVOLVE STARVING!

We've all heard it.  The rumor.  The whisper.  The belief.  THE LIE!  The myth of the starving artist has done more damage and derailed more creative dreams than one can count.

You call this starving?

I am talking about myself.  For a long time I thought there was no money in being an artist.  So what did I do?  I went to law school, racked up some debt and then rekindled my old flame called Art.  

Abundance is everywhere and follows the expression of our gifts and talents naturally.  Starving is impossible in an abundant Universe.  

With that said, we can easily debunk this myth!  Falsehoods are fragile and meant to be broken OBLITERATED.  Hence the following list of 31 OTHER THINGS ARTISTS DO THAT DO NOT INVOLVE STARVING! 

ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...OWN REAL ASSETS.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...SHOP.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...INDULGE.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...SIP FINE WINE.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...PARTY.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...CAN AFFORD OUR ADDICTIONS.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...CHARGE IT.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...HAVE UNLIMITED SUPERNATURAL RESOURCES.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...DREAM.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...HAVE AN 'APP' FOR THAT(not for starving for something else...just click the link to avoid confusion...).
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...TEACH ON THE SIDE.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...LAUNCH.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...LOVE.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...PLAN.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...WIN.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...'GET OFF THE CURB.'
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...GO HARD.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...FOCUS.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...GRANT PERMISSION.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...LEAP.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...BRAINSTORM.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...STROKE LIKE HELL.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...DRUM UP BUSINESS.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...HAVE OUR OWN STYLE.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...GO ON TOUR.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...TAKE ACTION.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...MAKE THE RULES.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...GOT THAT FIRE.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...INVEST.
ARTISTS DON'T STARVE WE...FEAST.


What else do we do that does not involve starving?  Tell me all about it in the comments.  Keep debunking the myth!

ART OF MY SOUL DAY 16: THE REAL "BOGO" OF LIFE IS ART AND LOVE...

Does love inspire art or does art inspire love?

Guess what?  It is B.O.G.O. when it comes to Art and Love.  For my savvy fashionistas, I am not talking about that shopping bonus when you buy one get one free.  I am talking about something even better--a COSMIC BONUS! 

You get to Be One and Get One freely.  Be Love and get Art freely.  Be Art and get Love freely.

Specifically, when you choose to be the embodiment of Love you get the Art of who you truly are.  It is a profound revelation that you are a masterpiece deserving nothing but the highest Love.  There is a tremendous sense of liberation being free to be your most authentic self.

When you embrace the truth of who you are and walk in this knowledge fully, this is being the Art.  It is in this state that love begins to flow inwardly and outwardly with ease.

Love inspires Art...

Love is the reason I embarked on this art journey.  It was self love that allowed me to surrender to an inner tugging in my heart.  A command to love myself on a deeper level through the Art I discovered on a daily basis.  How could I refuse?

Art inspires Love...

I dare you to surround yourself with Art and not be inspired to Love!  That is exactly what I did this year when I decided to take life 31 days at a time.

What I discovered was of no surprise.  I am great!  I am a masterpiece created perfectly by Love.  We all are.  We are all forever enveloped in Love.  The moment we accept this truth we begin to see all things as beautiful extensions of ourselves.  We see the Art in everyone and everything.

For Art is a mirror that reflects the Love we are giving and receiving.

They say the absence of Love is fear.  I SAY THE ABSENCE OF ART IS DENIAL!

Refuse to deny the Art within from this moment forward and Love will follow freely.

ART OF MY SOUL DAY 15: WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING FOR THE PAINT TO DRY...

Feeling artistically adventurous, I decided to crack open my Van Gogh Water Color Pocket Palette.

I love how all it takes is a peep through my blinds and BAM...there goes inspiration! 

This time while sun gazing, my camera phone created an optical illusion that looked like a large flower with petals of light.  It reminded me of a real flower from my aunt's garden.

Taking both images as inspiration, I created a water color painting of a red-orange flower surrounded by the colors of light.  In between each layer I had to wait for the handmade paper and the paint to dry fully before adding more color.  To kill time I looked closely at my own layers...

So much peeling and shedding was done this year to get to this place of self forgiveness and deep self love.  I love my water color flower at age 31-derful.  It is beautiful!

Layers are the meaningful events in our lives designed to bring us lessons to learn and grow from.

How many would you say you have experienced so far this year?  Which lessons stand out the most or had the greatest impact?  What layers are you still working on shedding?

Would you like to paint with me?  Join me at the next 31at31 Sip and Stroke!

Photo taken by Jolyn E. Gardner Campbell

"Petals of Light" photo by Jolyn E. Gardner
Campbell

Water Color 1 by Jolyn E. Gardner
Campbell, 5x7 on handmade paper