Exalting Our Spirits

“I choose that my art be engaged in that which exalts the spirit of man.”
Clyfford Still


Clyfford Still is one of my favorite artists and his work, inspiration.  There is a quote that describes Still on a mural in Denver.  It states:  "The canvas was his ally.  The paint and trowel were his weapons.  And the art world was his enemy."  Pretty powerful words for describing an artist but his work truly is powerful.  The boldness with which he painted has always struck me.  His mark making alone shows his confidence and his authority.  If ever you are in Denver, visiting the Clyfford Still Museum is a must.  




Clyfford Still
PH-1187, 1956

The museum is one of my favorite places here in Denver.  I can breathe there and just be.  I'm always ready to create after visiting his work.  Having such a wealth of inspiration so close is wonderful.  For me, Still is successful, his work does exalt the spirit of man; his work is life, energy, and speaks from and to the spirit.  The pictures alone do not do his work justice.  The scale of some of the pieces engulfs the viewer.  You feel one with the work, not just viewing it but a part of it.  The experience is very moving and intimate.  The color and textures bring such a vitality to his paintings and as the viewer, the color takes over.  It is exhilarating! 

Connecting with a work of art can be a very personal experience.  It breathes into the viewer something that wasn't present before; it brings a new awareness (to quote an artist friend - Gary Bibb).  Art reaches out and can grab you, engage you, or it can bring a subtle shifting in your soul.  This is important - needed and necessary.  Art is the record of our existence here on this earth.  It shows us who has come before us and it tells us of who is currently here.  Art engages.  Art speaks.  

So, I'll be thinking of Still and his boldness, asking that I can translate that into my work as well.  I, as an artist, desire to connect, engage, and exalt our spirits.  I desire for my work to live on after I'm gone to speak to my children and others.  I want it to portray the human condition with all its beauty and rawness of emotions.  I want it to speak.  I want it to speak the truth of what it means to be human.  And if successful, can engage, speak to our spirits, and ultimately exalt us.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9-11-18

Image
9-11-18 Seventeen years since your soul was silenced Seventeen years of tears and emptiness Seventeen years of mourning and grieving Seventeen years of remembering and reflecting Seventeen years of wondering and honoring Seventeen years of rebuilding and remaking Seventeen years since you were taken Seventeen years of moving forward, yet looking back Seventeen years without you
Read more

An Uncomfortable Place

Image
 11-9-2020 I hit the wall. I got to the point where I couldn't create. I'm slowly coming out of it but it lasted a couple of months. I couldn't create. The only thing I could do was rest and think. Even then, thinking was difficult. It has been a long while since I was in this place. I'm usually very productive and creative but this time, all of my energy was sapped. It was an uncomfortable place. I had painted over 30 paintings and almost 20 drawings. I felt I was on a roll but it came to a screeching halt. Was I tired? Yes. Did I feel like I exhausted my possibilities with my work? No. But I felt a change coming. What that is, I'm not sure yet. I feel a new sense of stirring which will inform my work but I'm in the dark as to what it is. I know I need to get into the studio and work it out. This is unknown and uncharted territory of which I embrace. I'm excited to see what comes out of it but I'm still tired. I'm still in this place of inaction. I&
Read more

June 12, 2014

Well, I got the call... the one I was expecting but didn't want to get.  My mom needs to either to have a companion with her or we need to move her into assisted living.  My mother has dementia and it is progressing.  We've been uneasily waiting for this day to come and it is now here. The call came yesterday while I was on my lunch hour at work so I was able to take it.  As would be expected, a myriad of questions and emotions filled my mind and heart and I found that I could think somewhat clearly but not enough to ask everything I needed to ask.  That's what today is for...  pulling myself together to handle everything that mom needs.  Spending time on the phone with family and agencies has been draining but it is that season of life.  Things are the way they are; it is what it is. Many thoughts are going through my head regarding mom's care and making sure she is comfortable and secure in her surroundings.  The last thing we all want is to make a decision that w
Read more