AUGUST 2021
Dear Friends and Art Patrons,
Don't get me wrong; I adore summer. I had big hopes of traveling, but many of you know what my last few months have looked like, considerably more time at home than expected. So up to my studio I go daily reinventing my practice. I’m trying different techniques, different media, different subjects, but the big difference is the zero pressure I am putting on myself. I have cleaned and rearranged my boxes, my setups, my attitude. Like when you clean out a closet and get rid of old junk, it is freeing to get rid of some old attitudes, too. Take the ego out of the equation for a nanosecond and paint for love of ART.
Of course it’s wonderful to get outside validation in the form of sales and ribbons and acceptances; we all have egos. But internal validation makes painting worthwhile again. Am I a painter that teaches or a teacher that paints? Sitting on my rear end for weeks while healing forced me to confront myself. While I love teaching, I am an artist first and foremost. Feeling better physically has definitely helped me feel better mentally and I am seeing that in my work. I’m not painting
past pain anymore, I’m painting a freer future.
I continue to seek wisdom from other artists, and hopefully what I absorb I will teach as part of my journey forward. You’re all invited to come along!
-Jeri
Above: "Red" | 14x18"
