Finding one's "purpose" is a personal value that seems to cross cultures. Akin to finding one's calling, there is this idea that each of us may discover a singularly meaningful occupation into which we were meant to pour our skills, talents and energy. We search for this, often elusive, purpose while putting out life's unexpected fires, absorbing losses, and managing relationships. Upon reaching middle age, I have concluded that, at least for this person, there should not be a single purpose in life. Rather than making me feel like a lost and aimless wanderer, this realization has freed my creative spirit. I sought to ground myself in my 20’s as a teacher, feeling that my calling as an artist was to inspire others to embrace the discipline. For a while, this was absolutely true. I was driven by that cliche fire and passion that so many educators possess. I had discovered an obscure and fascinating world in the history of art and I lived for the joy of revealing that space to my students. My creative outlet was in teaching, experimenting with all of the ways I could bring out a student’s passion for the curriculum content. As that career wore on and I eventually became a wife and mother, I began to see more of the difficult truths in the world around me. Often it felt like my colleagues and community were living with their heads in the sand, ignoring the huge issues we face as a modern society. This is around the time I began the social experiment that became known as “One Outfit 100 Days”. I took it upon myself to use my public position to do something very small, but very radical, to bring attention to some of these bigger issues for the people around me. I purchased a fair trade, practical dress and set out to wear it to work on repeat for 100 days. The idea here was that I could push people to consider our nonsensical cultural obsession with fast fashion, as well as the environmental and human exploitation that goes along with it. As one might imagine, this elicited some talk. In fact, the project went viral on social media and I spoke about it on Good Morning America and other national outlets. My administrators and some colleagues were a bit taken aback and I found myself navigating some uncomfortable meetings. Looking back, I think this was a turning point for me in terms of “my purpose”. I began to realize I could, and perhaps should, begin to make an impact in spaces outside of the classroom. This is around the same time I decided to train as a labor doula. Rather than sign up for training here in NJ, I flew to Uganda and trained at a non-profit birth center called Shanti Uganda. I met people from all walks of life in Africa who represented the kind of person I felt called to become. They were love-centered and courageous.They didn’t shy away from taking risks, they followed their hearts, and they inspired the people around them with their passion and love for their fellow humans. If anything has become my life’s purpose, it is to become this type of person. Back home in New Jersey, I worked part time as a labor doula. I used to be scared of hospitals. I used to be uncomfortable hugging friends and strangers alike. I thought I was just an artist and a teacher and that I belonged in no other professional spaces. All of these personal limitations were eliminated through my work as a doula. It was doula work that brought me to Guatemala. I came on a retreat to learn about local birth practices, and cultural perspectives on death. Again, I was surrounded by brave, inspiring women and it was during this time and our work together that I began to face the truth - teaching was holding me back from a purpose that had undoubtedly morphed into something new. I returned home and about a month later my sister-in-law alerted me to the sale of a business called “My Fair Trade Lady”. The owner, a former archaeologist, was retiring from the world of fair trade. We connected, I gave it some thought, and three months later I had resigned from teaching and was the owner of a fair trade retail shop. Since then, I’ve traveled around the world to connect with fair trade organizations, brought customers to meet these makers in their own villages, and worked to educate my own local community about the importance of fair trade. These days I am also leaning into my own life as a professional artist, painting live at events, working as a commission artist, and selling my work wholesale to other retailers. When I paint plein air at an event in front of others, I feel the same fire inside that I felt as a teacher when I inspired my students to value the arts. When I capture a moment from a wedding on canvas, I feel the same fire that I felt as a doula when I accompanied a woman through her transition into motherhood. When I’m able to buy fair trade for my shop and empower a woman to use her weaving skills to make a living, I feel the joy of sharing my own bliss in paying the bills as an artist. On the surface, my purpose has evolved into a variety of occupations over the years. It is perhaps a path we must be open to following, rather than a singular purpose. Allowing my own path to unfold has required an open mind and a willingness to show up for things, even when I wasn't sure why I was doing it yet. At the end of the day I believe I’m here to let my creative passions flow into the spaces they are pulled toward, without getting derailed by fear and insecurities.
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"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." -Aristotle I did not become a professional painter to ever feel like my job was a drag. If you're not careful, commissions can become a chore. In order to keep my soul in every piece, I never hesitate to experiment anymore. One might think commissions and live paintings should be a place to play it safe and give them what they expect. I've found this to be a discredit to clients. The right client will receive your most authentic work with the same exuberance you felt when you made the piece. For this particular piece, I wanted to experiment with acrylic paint pens. This is something I've been toying with in my mind for a while. Is it still traditional painting if you use paint in the form of. a pen? This is a question that can be debated all day, but to me a painting ultimately reflects the skill and experience of the artist, not the medium she uses. In this piece I just used the paint pens for the skin tones, hair and facial features (I only had a pack with a neutral palette...later I'll buy more to expand my palette). I was so pleased with how well it worked! At this point, I'm not sure that it's a time saver. Getting used to the flow and consistency of the pens, as well as the way they layer and blend took me about the same amount of time or longer compared to painting with a brush. We shall see how this changes as I practice. In the meantime, I love how these two came out! My next experiment was in the underpainting on the subjects' clothing. I had it in my mind that aiming to use almost the exact same palette for each person would magically unify them. I knew I'd be covering them both with different top layer colors, but I wanted to them to look like they went together. The local color of the bride's dress is of course, white, but every artist knows we can't just use white or it will look flat and cartoonish. White and grays can be so dull and detach it from the rest of the painting. Today I tried connecting them with a layer of denim blue before adding any highlights or shadows. In the end, this really seemed to work as planned! I plan to use a similar method going forward with other paintings. In the final step, I believed I was finished when the sky looked smooth as seen in the photo on the left. The sky matched the clear sky in the photo. However, after taking some time to consider this further, I really felt the sky needed something else. I wasn't sure how he client would feel about swirly expressive "unrealistic" brushstrokes in the background, but I went for it. I knew it would complement the lines in the bride's veil and balance the texture in the grassy foreground. I was so nervous about how it would be received, but the client loved it! This whole painting was a great reminder to be true to yourself as an artist, even if it it's a commission.
Planning a wedding involves making countless decisions, from choosing the perfect venue to selecting a delectable menu. One way to add a touch of uniqueness and artistry to your wedding is by hiring a live wedding painter. These talented artists will capture the magical moments of your big day on canvas, providing you with a beautiful and personalized memento. However, before you dive into the process of hiring a live wedding painter, here is some advice to ensure a smooth and successful experience.
Research and Review - Begin by researching local live wedding painters in your area *Make sure they are educated and formally trained as an artist. Anyone can say they are an "artist", but it takes real training and experience to manage the pressures of live painting and produce reliably high quality work. *Check out their portfolios and review their previous work *Pay attention to their style and see if it aligns with your vision - Read reviews and testimonials from past clients *Look for feedback on professionalism, communication, and overall satisfaction *Seek recommendations from friends or wedding planners who have experience with live wedding painters. Discuss - Schedule a phone call with the potential painter *Discuss your wedding theme, color scheme, and any specific elements you would like to be highlighted *Share your vision and expectations *Inquire about their process, including the mediums they use and their ability to work under time constraints *Assess their ability to adapt and make revisions based on your preferences. Agreement and Logistics - Once you have made your decision, draft a letter of agreement with the chosen live wedding painter * Include details such as date, time, and duration of their presence at the wedding *Clearly outline the payment terms, including deposit and final amount *Communicate any logistical details, such as where the painter will set up and if they require any special arrangements *Ensure that they have a designated point of contact on the wedding day for any questions or changes. Communication is Key - Maintain open and clear communication with the painter leading up to the wedding *Share any changes or updates to the schedule promptly *Provide details of important moments or rituals to ensure they capture all the significant highlights *Exchange contact information and establish the preferred method of communication. Day of the Wedding *Make sure the painter arrives well in advance to set up their materials *Introduce them to your wedding planner or coordinator *Inform the photographer and videographer about the painter's presence to collaborate and avoid interference *Encourage your guests to engage with the artist and appreciate their skill and artistry. Enjoy the Experience -Embrace the unique and artistic touch that a live wedding painter brings to your special day *Trust in their talent and expertise to create a breathtaking masterpiece that reflects the beauty and joy of your wedding *Remember to enjoy each moment and let the painter capture the essence of your celebration. Hiring a live wedding painter can be a remarkable addition to your wedding day. By following this advice, conducting thorough research, and maintaining clear communication, you can ensure a successful and memorable experience. Allow a live wedding painter to transform your wedding moments into everlasting works of art. |
AuthorJulia is a live event painter and commission artist in the Philadelphia area. She has been a classically trained artist for over 20 years. |