Writing, and Rewriting, an Artist Statement

 Artist Statement

In my last post, let's see, two years ago (yikes - was it really two years???), I mentioned working on an artist statement - a difficult task! It is still a work in progress, but this is what I have after tweaking it over the past couple of years:

“Travel has inspired me to see beyond the everyday view and connect with the energy of the spaces where I’ve found myself. My photos connect with the spirit of those places – whether near or far away. Especially intriguing are the doorways, windows and paths that pique curiosity about what is on the other side.”

My artist statement will continue to evolve as I reflect on the images that I capture, and it may change significantly if the focus and/or subject matter of my work changes. Please feel free to share your thoughts with comments about what resonates with you - I am interested in your impressions and reactions. 

"Especially intriguing are the the doorways, windows and paths that pique curiosity about what is on the other side" 

On my last trip to Germany, unique doorways and winding paths grabbed my attention. Following are a few of my favorite images: 

 

Path to the Wieskirche (Path to the Church in the Meadow)  

This pastoral scene is near Oberammergau, Germany. The clouds on the misty, rainy day blocked the view of the Alps, normally visible in the background. However, the wet weather also had a positive effect - boosting the lush green color of the grass in the meadow and the glistening pavement of the pathway. 

 

Neubeurner Stadttor

City gate in the small town of Neubeuern, Germany

The sunlight shining on the other side of the gate illuminates the walkway and beckons you to walk through the gate. The colors of the painted stucco provide an interesting contrast with the cobblestone walkway, the stone wall and the fenced shrubbery.

Rothenburger Stadttor

City gate in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a picturesque city in southern Germany, one of only three cities with an Altstadt (old part of the city) still completely surrounded by a stone wall dating back to the Middle Ages.

This city gate leads from the Altstadt into a park with walking trails and stone benches.

Back to Blogging

Although I haven't been blogging in a long time - actually a really long time! - I have been out with my camera and am excited about sharing some of my new favorite images with you.
Before getting to that, though, I want to tell you a little about the journey I've been on...the past year has been one of reflection - a lot of time spent trying to get comfortable with acknowledging myself as an artist and then figuring out an artist statement - a few sentences to tell people who I am, what I do and why I do it. Seems easy, but it isn't!

Along with that, I've been trying to discern my goals for my work as an artist - am I a hobbyist or do I want to take the steps to actually launch a career as an artist? Big questions - and no easy answers. I can be quite impatient and find myself wanting to know the answer - the right answer! - right now...but I'm learning some patience and getting better (at least most days!) at 'loving the questions and living my way along to the answer' (Rainer Maria Rilke). If I can just remember that "Life is a journey - not a destination!"

Vergangenheit auch heute (the past still today)

Walking through the town of Schwaebisch Hall in Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany, we happened to make a left turn into this courtyard between buildings and came across this idyllic scene. The vibrant colors and varying textures create an incredibly striking background; the flowers and vines, the cobblestone street and the half-timbered building are characteristic of towns in this part of Germany and the bicycle with its basket is a common form of transportation for many citizens. A scene like this, commonplace in Europe, leaves me with an extraordinary awareness of the lasting connection between past and present. It wasn't listed on the "sights to see" for the city, but it has become one of my favorite images -- I'm so glad we turned left at that little side street!