Memories
Like anyone my age (70), I get nostalgic from time to time about the past. In particular, holiday gatherings with all the children and grandchildren together always send me back to the beginning of things, back when I was in the trenches with this little flock - barely able to make it through each day with its endless needs and demands.
As an artist I have a similar kind of nostalgia about paintings completed this year, projects undertaken, articles written for the local newspaper about art (both mine and others), my 6 month show in Dallas at a large bookstore, my attempt to land a free studio space in Dallas (Still working on that!), the 20 page zine I put together - ART MUTT/Finding Me - about my art journey from 2012 to this year, the big outdoor show I landed this past October via Duncanville Parks & Recreation for March 2020, the interview I did in Oct. with Southwest Focus for March 2020 publication, the whole Artist in Residence Proposal I sent out to 4 local colleges 2 weeks ago (No official responses yet since colleges are closed until Jan. 6)...
Of all that I have done this year the slideshow from this past summer of our son playfully responding to some big works in progress tops my list for "Work of the Year"! The joy, creativity, enthusiasm, spontaneity, delight, innocence, energy... of this bit of homestyle fun speaks volumes to me both about our son, who is so precious to me - as all our kids are - and about my own connection with my artwork.
I end this year proud and happy as an artist and so very grateful to God for the love and life He has shared so generously with me. Merry Christmas, y'all!
Watch "Martin with Big Art. June 2019" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/jersg76ZN2U