Since January, I’ve been heavily leaning into hundreds … and now thousands … of dots. Each one a unique mark made by human instinct, obsession, mystery, mysticism, and intention. In some ways, I know what they’re “about” In more ways though, I’m still trying to understand.
Most bodies of work begin fuzzy for me. My brain doesn’t quite grasp what it is I’m needing to do, but my body tells me to do it. Sometimes it’s weeks, sometimes months or years later that things begin to click.
An interview was posted where I was talking about my dots. Someone I’ve never met and don’t know left the lovely above comment. I wish I could say that comments like this didn’t phase me, but it did. I was upset most of the next day. It reminded me of times in college, and someone asked if I ever made anything that “actually would look good in someone’s living room.” Or some people I heard laughing while walking down the hall and pointing at a piece.
So what I paint: Is it art? and… Is it that the most important question for me to answer?
I don’t want to spend my time constantly justifying what I make. I want for my work to connect with people, but I also know it will not be for everyone. Who gets to decide what art is? If one person says I make art, and one says I don’t, then who is right? What I do know: humans have been making marks for as long as we have been here. Lines in the sand, shapes and colors on clothing and drums and pots and cave walls. Pigment and water and mud spread on faces, chests, butts, stomachs, hands, and feet. I am partaking in a humanness of expression.
I don’t want to spend all my life chasing the impossible quest of convincing everyone I make art. I’d like to think that even if I never received external validation, I’d continue to make. I am grateful though to have a supportive core community that happens to honor my vision or at least seek to understand. Comments like this are still hard to sift through though… so here’s to growth!
I think of the kids in my life that I can make art with. How they aren’t bombarded by the pressure of making a masterpiece, and yet, their art is some of my favorite. The one on the left was a tree by a kid in the nursery. On the right, was my only kid at the class I taught at the Carnegie, and she wanted to experiment with paint on paper towels. The light shined through it like thin stained glass, and we both smiled.
I have friends that invited me over and gave me soup to take home. I’m indulging in my peanut butter M&M addiction. I’m writing letters to friends in Louisiana, Alabama, and Washington. I’m staying afloat.
Wolfsey Updates
Wolfsey is mine and Jacob’s official business name! We have an instagram for you to follow here and are working on a website.
Jacob recently finished up a restoration piece that was given to us from an older community member who didn’t know what to do with it. We are brainstorming where it will end up. In the middle picture is our collection of experimenting with glass beads. I am very very excited about this … and keep your eyes open on instagram for a summer jewelry sale (and hopefully some fall pop ups)! On the right are some glass panels given to us from someone else in the community. It’s wonderful to have the gift of being known, so when people find glass, they reach out to you! Thanks, Anthony :)
Azule Interview
Here’s a link to the interview where I got told I made bad art! :)
My latest commission! I was so honored to make this piece for a family I met through the Episcopal church in Jackson. Loaded her up and now she’s in a great home!
Coming up
Last Spring/ Summer art class for the Carnegie is for 5-8 year olds- painting bird houses! You can sign up here!
June Muses
I learned how to mow the lawn! I still haven’t used a push mower but learned to ride this one, and it was scary … then turned meditative. Can’t wait to do it again.
River / creek swimming. Once we hiked through unpredictable sand and many bugs and one spotted snake, we arrived. I had to veer off the path to take a shit and found the most perfect feather. It felt very profound for the moment.
My partner planned a whole surprise day for me earlier this month. Part of it consisted a trip to the Frist Art Museum where I bought this kid’s book on Yayoi Kusama (queen of dots) and a new dotted animal for my truck dashboard. It is wonderful to feel loved and known. thank you, C <3
Having friends over to paint and draw.
Thank you for taking the time to read this while the world feels like it’s burning. Please listen to podcasts, the news, stay informed. I’m not an expert, but I’m learning the importance of community, especially now. Don’t stop making art even if it feels pointless or silly. IT ISN’T! KEEP MAKING IT AND SHARING IT AND DO LIFE TOGETHER.
