Living with History
I feel this tremendous responsibility to do something great!
I tend to live in landmark places. Places where great things have
happened, long before me, having had nothing to do with me.
And living there puts a tremendous pressure on you to DO something -
something that is notable, or strong, or worthwhile. When you paint for
a living, that takes alot to do. Most people stand in awe of a truly great
work. Like one of Picasso's Cubism period, or his Blue period.
Or a sculpture by Rodin. A large canvas by Gustav Klimt that captures
metallic expression like no one else ever. But how many artists actually
get to live with seeing the effect their work has on others when they are in
AWE.
Very very few. It is a rare thing.
I know an artist in East Lansing Michigan who does extremely large canvases.
Irv Taran is not only talented and fabulous with color, he is a master at the AWE factor.
His work is soft and almost touchable in his approach. His paint is thick with gesso and
is layered and scraped to a point that it floats off the canvas and becomes part of you
when you view it. Irv himself is a chatty fun guy that rides a retro Harley in a bright
orange color. His laugh is self deprecating, and his spirit flows from him directly at you.
I have always admired his work because he is effortless in it.
He is not affected by negativity, at least not outward. He is almost carefree.
His life is relatively simple. His successful children are grown. His wife Judith
is accomplished in her own rite and needs no propping up or support from him.
He tends his art. He enjoys his world. And he keeps making his audience see his
AWE.
Impressive to say the least. Most would say - impossible.
So I will tend my garden in my smaller world of art.
I will express my series work with my heart and soul.
I will accomplish commissions with similar enthusiasm and energy.
I will grow and gather small accolades of enjoyment from my fan base.
I will enjoy it all and have a little bit of the mirth and amusement of an actor on a stage.
Waiting for that curtain that brings the applause and the acceptance of their work.
And someday. If I am lucky or patient enough. I may see it. I may hear it. My time for
AWE.
