no more duckin out...

That last post is a doozie.. tough one to follow...
I have some catching up to do…

well for now, this is re: your ‘I don’t really know’ post..

This little painting of mine caused quite a stir.
Do you remember this story?

Here’s the brief recap, minus emotion: On the morning of the reception, the gallery owner demanded (pacing, waving his arms) it be taken down because it would offend his clients. We compromised (unbeknownst to him) and moved the painting to a different (less central) location. It ended up being quite a conversation piece, and ended up being the first painting to sell at the reception. (That may have been my briefest recap ever). The point? That painting made quite an impact – both positive and negative. And I am definitely willing to accept that. Still, I have to laugh when it’s all said and done because it’s quite a tame painting in my opinion (it's a fricking plein air painting!), and there were others of swami’s and missions with crosses.. who knows what’s going on in people’s heads… it’s hard enough keeping track of everything in my own sometimes. But I try to pay attention to these things and use them as fuel and inspiration for more paintings and ideas.
So… re: your board painting.. I’m so glad you have someone that close to you that will give you such an honest response instead of thinking they have to walk on eggshells because it might be hard for you to hear. You're free to do whatever you want with your work. You can hide it away and keep it to yourself if you want to. But if you do choose to put it out there, you're going to make it harder on yourself by being so self-conscious (pot calling the kettle black). But here’s the thing… these are off the cuff responses - we all say things differently, and sometimes it’s hard to hear in the moment what’s actually being said (Imagine yourself asking 'when you say gross, do you mean that the gouge is painted so convincingly that it is physically difficult for you to look at?'). Anyway, just don't forget to take it in and assimilate it. And remember that your way of speaking through paint can be left for several different interpretations. And that’s something that’s so cool about it. The thing to keep in mind here is that it’s making someone feel something…and something really strong.

But then, we can all truly benefit from “explain this sh*t” too.. ha!