Paint, Words, and Passion: Why I Create

Hello and Happy Sunday!
I hope all is well with you, my reader friends.

Today may be a short message because I’m behind on my deadline for Dangerous Desires. Since I decided to go with an indie publisher—and may have convinced a fellow Toastmaster/friend to become my literary agent—I now want/need to get my booty in gear and get it done.

Of course, my Sweetheart and I are at our favorite local coffee shop. He’s playing one of his favorite games while I write. I love that we do this together. He’s also designing/creating a game. When it’s ready to be released, I’ll let you know. I know a little about it and what he’s planning, and it sounds fun—so stay tuned for updates!

Now, back to the topic for today: creation of ~ something/whatever ~ you want.
This is kind of an extension of my last blog post, where I wrote about creating. Whether it be art, a novel, a food dish, or a speech, I enjoy creating. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Some people can look at art and think, “What the heck were they trying to accomplish with this? What were they thinking?”
What you see may—and most likely will—be different than what I see. Honestly, I think that’s great. It opens the world up to all of us. It brings things to life in ways we may not have even thought possible.

For example, my art professor took her classes to the Frist Museum this week. There was the Farm to Table exhibition, which was interesting. Seeing the various artworks with the same theme, but such different perspectives.

There were several paintings that featured haystacks. In one, the painting—and especially the haystack—looked flat. The colors were beautiful, but the painting itself seemed flat to several of us. Others didn’t see it that way.
In another, the haystack was prominent in the foreground, and the textures were touchable (but you are NOT allowed to touch the art). The texture, to me, seemed to make the image—actually, the whole painting—come to life. Yet, each held its own beauty for different people.

There was another painting in a different exhibit area. When my friend looked at it, her first response was, “This is creepy.” My response? “The colors are beautiful.” I didn’t even notice the creepy part until later. The colors were burnt oranges, red, pinkish brown, yellow, white, browns, and a dash of black—brought together to create a subtle background with a bird, butterflies, and small yellow and white flowers throughout.

What was creepy, you may ask?
The artist had included doll parts (mostly heads) that stood out from the painting. Creepy yet interestingly beautiful. The artist was Walter Henry Williams Jr., and the art piece I’m talking about was his Roots and Butterflies (1975–77). The painting reflected his commitment to depicting both the beauty and complexity of the African American experience.
There were a few of his other paintings on display, and they were just as interesting and beautiful—but without the doll heads.

Did someone calling his piece “creepy” deter others from enjoying it?
Do you think someone may have said that to him while he was creating it? Possibly.
Did it stop him? No. He completed the art and shared what he saw in his head and felt in his heart.

Going to the museum—just like attending the Southern Literary Festival last week—helped me remember some of my “whys” and refreshed my “I can and must dos.”

I write because I have to. I have way too many characters and stories in my head and heart that MUST come out and be heard.
I draw, paint, photograph—create art—because I desire to bring to life some of what I see or feel.
I write and give speeches in the hope of helping others through my experiences.
I write this blog to share my thoughts, hopes, and dreams so that someone may see they are not alone in their hopes, dreams, desires, discomforts, or pains.

I used to think no one would care what I thought or felt.
And then one day, someone said I should share—that hearing a speech I gave helped them.
Then another person said the same thing.
Someone else told me I should share my experiences in a book, a blog, or… something.

So, here I am—sharing my experiences, ideas, hopes, dreams, and ups and downs.

I’d like to encourage you to create. Share.
Find something you enjoy and do it.
Life is far too precious to not live your truest, happiest life.

Now, I’m going to close this post so I can go create a little more steam in a Dogman’s life.
Dangerous Desires, here I come.

Till next time…
May your days be filled with hugs, love, laughter, and blessings. 💖