 |
I thank the Powers That Be for The Light, brilliance and beauty of God and all His Creation; the gifts He has granted me; the opportunities to develop those gifts; the capacity and compulsion to struggle beyond my own abilities to tap into Inspiration that comes through me and not from me.
A famous artist once said that creating excellent art is impossible, but that artists do it anyway. That's exactly the way I feel about my own work. Virtually every painting goes through an ugly stage that nearly convinces me I'm deluded to think I'm a real artist. So, why do I pursue this craziness? Because I'm an artist, I guess.
I derive pure joy from expressing nature, animal life and personality; from capturing exciting, delightful, gorgeous, funny moments with my camera. Because the struggle itself is gritty and delicious.
I back into my paintings, a little blind; not ever sure exactly where each piece is taking me. I open up to animals, never knowing what I will hear. Sometimes, the process is unnerving. But, always, I am thrilled when the difficult journey ends up in a good place.
I hope for all us that we will discover and build the fine gifts that have been given to us by Powers far beyond ourselves.
Janet Goldman Merrill
|
