"Lost in Thought" is currently
displayed as an 8x8 Lustre Print in a 12x12 walnut frame. This piece is available at Gallery 'N Gifts, Tehachapi, CA. Prints
are available in various sizes. See my website for additional information.
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"Lost in Thought"
(Click on the image for the larger version)
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The First Friday art-walk is always a night of discovery, good conversation, and entertainment. These days, I rarely get out to the other venues in town. Instead, I spend the evening somewhere within close range of my work. The event offers an opportunity to observe, and sometimes engage, the folks who stop to spend time viewing my work.
Not surprisingly, some of the viewers have questions about process. I have seen, more than once, that slightly puzzled expression before the person says, "How do you make these?" or, some cases, "What is this printed on?" When I tell them that the image is printed on metal, the next question almost always is, "How do you do that?!"
Obviously, those who stop to critique, dissect, explore, or enjoy all have one thing in common. They enjoy looking at horses. Many have never owned horses and have only admired them from a safe distance. Others have had horses for years.
Whatever the connection, the conversation, if there is one, usually begins with a question and eventually wends its way to swapped tales about horses we have met. In some cases, the viewer/questioner/storyteller's eyes roam from one piece to another as they relate to the collection of stories on the wall.
Then there are those who are smitten by one piece. Those people clearly need quiet time to spend in front of their chosen image. Sometimes, just as the reverie comes to a close, I will ask if they care to share impressions. Not surprisingly, some folks are articulate, others dodge the question. Many of the responses come in the form of the viewers impressions and an analysis. Perhaps the viewer spots patterns or shapes that I missed. Those conversations are eye openers for me and I often end up learning something about what I made. In other cases, the comments are loaded with personal experiences and emotion. For me, those exchanges add yet another layer of meaning to that piece of work.
Last weekend, I met a number of nice people that I had never talked to before. For example, there was the lovely couple from a part of the Tehachapi Valley area. I had observed them from some distance and noticed that they had spent some time looking at my work and were engaged in animated conversation. My curiosity was burning. I knew that I had to work my way over there to at least meet them.
He was drawn to the piece above—a small and personal image of a quiet moment. She was caught by a different piece—currently the largest in my portion of the gallery. They had lots of questions and we had a great conversation. Now I have met two more of the fine people in my community. Who knows? This story may have more than one chapter.
I love my quiet and solitude but would also be lost without conversations. I consider myself a people person but do need to work at that, it does not come without effort. I'm a people watcher, learning about myself while watching them. I really like this image and bet it would look good on metal.
ReplyDeleteI, too, need that balance of mixing with people, then my hours of quiet for recuperation. I am delighted that you mention printing this one on metal. I like it in the lustre print—as currently shown, but plan to print it on metal, soon. We will have an opportunity to see if we are right.
DeleteThanks for the visit, Monte.
Meeting new people and sharing information is why I love working as a docent at the museum. You just never know who might walk through the front doors,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit and comment, Steve.
DeleteBecause I don't socialize much otherwise, the gallery events make a big difference for me. And, you are so right about not know knowing who might show up any given evening.
Anita, this is indeed a lovely piece and I can understand that gentleman being drawn to it. I can only image how amazing it looks printed and framed.
ReplyDeleteI've always found the study of people to be fascinating, especially if you're watching their reaction to something you know a little about...as in the case of your photos. It sounds like a wonderful way to share your art and learn a bit about the local people and how they view it.
Oh, I did change the link on Meandering Passage to point here now. Take care!
Thank you, Earl. This gelding is our oldest guy and that makes me quite partial to this one.
DeleteOh, the situation makes for great people-watching. I enjoy it immensely. And, because some people are "regulars"—they come pretty much every month—I have gotten to know them a bit. It is a nice mix of strangers, many of them out of towners that are visiting, and local folks.
Thanks for changing that link and thanks for the comment.
Unfortunately, I did not inhere the social gene, although I fake well enough to get by. But I wish I could do what you do.
ReplyDeleteThe photo is fantastic and I can see why there would be quite a lot of interest in it.
I have a limited tolerance for intense interaction. I wear out fairly quickly, but I can enjoy socializing immensely if it is in small doses. At a cocktail party with a lot of strangers, I am totally tongue-tied. But, in this situation, I often get to wait for the visitors to "break the ice" either by asking a question, or clearly indicating a keen interest. That helps.
DeleteThanks for your comment, and I am so glad you like this one.