Friday, August 15, 2014

Painting Visual Narratives

My studio time has been up and down recently with challenges in getting back into the flow of painting.  I find when I have been inconsistent in my studio for a period of time, I can be discouraged and dissatisfied with my work.

I found an article posted online that gives me hope; photographer David duChemin (http://www.davidduchemin.com) wrote about Knowing Your Rhythm. He relates the inevitable ups and downs in our creative work using the wave as an analogy. I can't write here all he said, but in a summary, he states when we find ourselves in the lows of the wave, we can consciously feed our inspiration by going to a museum, gallery, coffee shop, library, theater or wherever we are inspired. He mentions a wave is not a wave without the lows and creativity often happens in the space between the highs and lows.  So I keep painting and doing the research waiting for the momentum to push me up again.

This painting . . .and the wind ran out of breath was actually painted several months ago but I'm just now posting it.  The inspiration comes from the story of Jesus calming the water while the disciples are in the boat crossing the Sea of Galilee.  It contrasts the stormy sky with the glass-like sea.  I feel a little familiarity about this piece because of all the tumultuous thunderstorms we have had this summer.  I imagined myself in a boat in the midst of that storm and  thought how frightened I would be.  The instantaneous calm made the disciples stand in awe.  If you want to read the whole reflection and references, go to http://www.phyllisthomasart.com  , click on Artist Reflections from the menu.

. . .and the wind ran out of breath
acrylic on cradled board
24 x 48", diptych

As I regain my rhythm in the studio, I look forward to gradually rising to the peak and continuing my next decade of paintings.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Legacy

It's been many months since I've posted.  Life has a way of squeezing out these tasks that are important but seem to take a back seat to other items at the top of the to do list.  Today is the day I am intentionally moving the task of writing to the top of the list.

My husband and I have been on staff of Cru for over 40 years.  When that milestone was reached the Legacy Project invited us to videotape our stories.  Two years ago we taped our 3 hour session telling various parts of our pilgrimage.  It was then edited down to very concise 4-5 minute presentations.

I just received notice that the story of my art journey is now edited and posted on YouTube.  I'm sharing this video link with you so you can join me for a look at my mission over the years.  It's an emotional journey for me and I'm full of gratitude that I have had the privilege of making art and connecting with so many wonderful artists and patrons all over the globe.This has not been a journey alone, as I would like to acknowledge my husband and our children as well as many artists and art organizations who have mentored me and shown me the way.

Check out the link below:


You may also be interested in viewing other staff person's stories.  These videos represent many years of service from very gifted and committed people we have had the pleasure of working alongside for many years.  .