I thought I would share a little bit as to why I decided to take my art mobile. Two years ago during the process of my divorce I was forced with the decision of keeping my studio or moving it home. I couldn’t afford to art supplies and my studio. I elected to move my studio home in the spring of 2015. I was painting more at home anyways. It was easier on the kids for me to be right here verses 10 minutes away at my studio. It also relieved a little bit of financial stress.

As I started painting at home and winter set in I had to move into the house from the garage. It became a challenge. The house whispers of all the unfinished tasks and I couldn’t disappear into the painting.

It was winter I’m a smoker so I picked a bar that had a heated smoking patio and I drew, sketched and plugged in.  I had been blocked for months. Some people would talk to me and some people wouldn’t. It depended on my mood whether or not it bothered me. The more comfortable I got, I started bring in smaller canvas sheets to paint on.

This week, I have permission to take a 24 X 48 canvas and my easel to a local bar and paint on their patio. This is  exciting to find new place to create!

I’ve been accused of doing this for attention.  Most of the time I don’t even realize who’s there. I disappear into the painting and focusing on what I’m trying to portray.

I also think that this exposes the process of making art.  The old question of “what is art?” I know for some artists it’s really not about the end product; it’s about the process; it’s about the things that they are emotionally or mentally trying to answer through their art.  Yes, I want the outcome to be appreciated. But really it’s about me, my process, what I’m seeing, and what I’m questioning.   If the viewer does loved it great and if they don’t maybe the will have more appreciation for the process. People get to see me, an artist, create my passion and it gives them this understanding for art in general.

I’m not afraid of the exposure. I’m not afraid of the critiques.  I’m not afraid of the comments.  It allows me to expose this whole process to groups of people that might not otherwise go to a museum or gallery to given an understanding about art.

For me being in a public place allows be experince my subject matter “people.”  I feel it’s important for me to be around people. Their energy,their laughter, and their buzz. Being a painter, can sometimes is lonely and you just need to be able to experience the outside world.

So if I’m comfortable with having a drink and painting my ass off while I do it, why not!