Cruel Summer: In Retrospect

Yay!



Happiness is selling a painting you really love to someone who really loves it. :o)

Funny story: I took a bunch of paintings to the gallery in LA for next month's Venice Vibe Art Show. The gallery decided I had one too many. We agreed to remove Cruel Summer. Secretly, my real reason was that I hoped (knew?) that this painting already had a home. Call it Artist's Intuition.

And so it was. Two days later, it has a much better destiny than just hanging in a gallery. I can't wait until its new family finally has this piece in their hands! Truthfully, though, I will be sad to see it go. But, the art I make serves a much better purpose, for me, if the magic I experience in my head while creating it moves further out into the universe, affecting moods, changing environments, influencing the creativity and emotions of others. That's what art is, right?

And this art is pink. Pink pink, pinkety pink. I have a fascination with pink in my art. It causes a distinct emotion in people when they view it. Lots of times, someone has seen this painting and said "It's really bright" or "It's really pink." Yes, it is. That's why it's AWESOME. ;o)

I love this painting. I'm not even sure what it is, but this piece, maybe more than a lot of others, is a true reflection of me. I think you'd have to know me incredibly well to understand why. I swear it's not just because The Karate Kid was highly influential in my childhood. Okay, maybe a little.

I was going through some interesting emotions personally, that one fateful summer in which I created it. A lot of changes were happening in my life. Someday, I'll tell you about them.

For now, let's all celebrate the connection between Art & Artist, Artist & Collector, and Collector & her exciting future. Adrea's purpose for this painting in her home in Canada is greater than I could ever have imagined. It's truly an honor. Someday I'll tell you about that too.

In the meantime, sing it with me. You know you want to.

2 comments:

Joe Foster said...

Cruel Summer was my "ah-ha" moment with regard to your painting; in pursuing art, you were not changing the message but the medium.

I knew this day would come, but I didn't think such a visceral reaction would come with it.

I am so impossibly happy for you.

Shayla Maddox said...

ahhww Joe. xo

You are indeed one of the (very) few who know me that well. I am eternally grateful for this.