Here is the thing: Have you ever noticed that cars with overly aggressive political bumper stickers are always occupied with the worst drivers?
It’s true. And it’s not restricted any particular party or cause. This thing runs across the board. Why is that?
Look, I’m not saying it’s the bumper sticker that *makes* you a bad driver, I’m saying the coincidence is more than coincidental. So wtf is up with that? I read somewhere that insurance companies charge more for people who drive yellow cars because yellow car people get in accidents the most often. That can’t be true. Can it? If the correlation of two things repeatedly prove themselves to be connected, in spite of all logic, does that mean they must be intertwined? And if that is the case, which one must cause the other?
I dunno. Weird shit has a way of coming true whether it’s logical or not. This is how I feel about a lot of stuff the last few months. I keep noticing the direct correlation between certain behaviors and certain outcomes. Certain people and certain outcomes. Certain places and certain outcomes. You know something? This is the dead truth: If I am driving east and Fleetwood Mac comes on the radio, that means it will rain in less than 20 minutes. That is a certifiable fact. It makes no sense at all, and typing it in public might nominate me for the tin foil hat club, but I dare you to prove me wrong! Fleetwood Mac on east = rain.
And here is a longer discussion. And by longer I mean rambling, but whatever, bear with me. I gotta talk this out. So. It’s hard to pinpoint where the line between art and craft exists, but I have been crossing it more often than not that last couple of months. This is dangerous territory for someone who makes part of their income as a craft blogger, but familiar territory for someone who spend five years and six figures in art school then never used it. (Backup recap…Nearly twenty years ago I decided I wanted to be a painter, went to school, loved it, graduated with a mountain of debt and set the dream aside, settling for jobs that allowed for some sort of creative output. All-in-all, not a bad way to make a living. Honestly, not bad at all)….fast forward to today, since going out on my own a little over a year ago, I keep finding myself spending my downtime painting. Late nights. Early mornings. It calls my name. And more often than not, I answer. This paint thing won’t quit me. And therein lies a correlation that seems to me more than coincidental.
My Aunt Pat is a geologist and worked for the state of Mississippi for many years, and over time chit chatting about urban planning and municipal regulations with her, I have come to understand the term ‘highest and best use.’ Meaning, say, a parcel of land becomes open and a city/state/somethingorother must ask “What is the highest and best use for this piece of property?” Everyone loves the idea of a park or a library, but maybe what the town needs is a parking lot because the ripple effects of a parking lot would benefit the retailers and restaurants which in turn would benefit the local economy which in turn would benefit all of the people who live in the town. All because of a parking lot. Or a gas station. Or something unglamorous like a 24 hour pizza-by-slice storefront. I mean, nobody likes the idea of a methadone clinic in the neighborhood but sometimes that is what a town needs. The highest and best use of that land dictates itself, the question is if anyone will listen.
This is where I find myself right now. Trying to find the highest and best use of my time. Despite my hopes that it would be some noble cause like saving cats or curing cancer, I keep coming back to painting. It is a devastatingly unpractical and expensive way to spend your time, but it’s all I want. When I am mixing paint and getting ready apply it to the canvas, I can literally feel my cells shift. That doesn’t mean what I am making is any good. But I think it means I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. Do you ever have that feeling? Like you know, you just KNOW that this is where you are supposed to be? This moment, this person, this place?
But what if the place you are supposed to be isn’t actually where you want to be? That’s a real bummer. What then?
Malcolm Gladwell developed this pop psychology rule that in order to be a master of any given field, one must practice it 10,000 hours. Ten thousand. Accounting for an eight hour work day, that’s 1,250 days straight. Can you even imagine that?
Yeah. I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing with this painting, and I don’t know where it’s going, but I do know that I am a nicer person when I paint. I’m a better friend. A better listener. I dare say I might even be a little smarter if I paint for an hour a day but that might just be me listening to a lot of audiobooks read by British people and their accents have that effect on people. I don’t know. But there is a correlation here and the idea of spending 10,000 hours to figure it out sounds like great time. There is something here, and it might take me 10,000 hours before I figure it out, but there is something here. You know what else is here?
A whole lot of art.
Yep.
My pop-up shop last fall was great. Unfortunately, nearly everything sold in the first day. So, for six months now, I have been keeping a file of stuff to sell. Art stuff. Lots of it. Most of it is not sellable but some of it, particularly the floral bits, are ready to come out and play.
You know, I rented this studio for a lot of reasons, but always thinking I would keep it neat enough to meet with graphic design clients. And now it looks like two-dimensional flower shop bomb exploded, but messier.
However, in my defense, I always keep fresh flowers around. Interesting fact; if you sell paintings of flowers you claim the purchase of fresh flowers as a tax deduction. Live models, if you will.
Speaking of fresh flowers, look what popped up in the window boxes!
Not a bad place to work. Also, my studio assistant is super cute.
This shot below is from two weeks ago. I set myself a deadline to stop painting at the end of this month (temporarily) because there is literally nowhere to put stuff.
Note the Princess Diana photo used for floral inspiration. The finished piece came out interesting!
Which brings me to a little precursor announcement: EVERYTHING IS GOING ON SALE NEXT WEEK.
Shop will officially open May 4th so look for a link here then. If you are on my mailing list by May 2nd or follow my personal instagram account (it’s new – I’m using it for art purposes only), you’ll get the link the day before.
What can you expect? Lots of flowers. Flowers. And flowers. Original art, much of it priced under $100. A few prints. And some pillows.
There is a part of me that does not want to sell off the things I have made, but there is another part, a much greater part, that is SO EXCITED to get this stuff out into the world! Hope you will join in the fun. See you next week!
Elisabeth
I would like to let you know that it whether it be about your glorious paintings or your “why the hell didn’t I think of that” crafts, when you write about them, they are a joy to read. Thank you.
Lani
Yes keep writing about correlations!
We observe too much without sharing our observations 🙂
aunt peaches
Isn’t that the truth? It seems to me the more observant I am, the more grateful I am, and gratitude is directly related to contentment and happiness. And I’m guessing I’m not alone in that! Now that’s a correlation worth exploring!
aunt peaches
Thanks for reading, Elisabeth 🙂
LindaSona
I would be pleased to assist in setting some of this loveliness out into the world….! Looking forward to it…
aunt peaches
Yay!
E
Yes!
aunt peaches
🙂
Stephanie
Very exciting news about the sale! I hope all your paintings find loving homes quickly. 🙂
My undergrad was filled with much less painting and much more statistics, and the first thing they drill into your head as a science major is that correlation does not causation. Just because you see a strong correlation between two things does not mean one causes the other, there are too many other unknowns that could be influencing the relationship. But I totally believe political bumper stickers are found on the cars of terrible drivers! I think it’s because if you care enough about politics to put a sticker on your car, you are probably one of those people who feels all the feelings stronger than the average person. And consequently reacts more strongly to all things while behind the wheel.
We don’t have political bumper stickers up here in Canada very much, our elections are so much shorter it’s not really worth printing them I guess. Seriously, you guys should look into shorter elections down there… everyone here lost their minds after a 52 day federal election last year, (the longest one in our history.) I’m tired just thinking about your primary system and it’s not even over yet!
aunt peaches
I’m no scientist, but here is what I know: Yal’s election cycle got you a mega smart hottie like Justin Trudeau, whereas our election cycle might get us a guy who thinks Jesus walked with dinosaurs. I’m thinking Canada knows what its doing 😉
Catherine
I love my Aunt Peaches bag! Perfect for overnights or shopping trips. Make more of those!
aunt peaches
If I can find someone to turn them out and I can sell for profit at an affordable price, it will tote bag city 24/7. 🙂
AnnW
How am I Ever going to decide, Amanda-Evanston? I do have a new background. Moving to town this summer. New walls.
aunt peaches
Ooooo! That is exciting!
Kristen
I believe education can never be taken away from you. So you went to art school a zillion years ago and set the knowledge aside? Now is the time for you to use it. And that is nothing but good.
aunt peaches
I’m sure hoping so!
Amanda
You’ve commented before about art for art’s sake and, I think you said you weren’t for it. You didn’t really do that here, but you seem to feel a touch guilty, or like you’re coming to terms with spending all your time painting. I may be missing it here, but that’s kind of the feel I get from your comments.
I just wanted to say that bringing enjoyment to people, bringing life and color to their home, even just giving someone a tiny moment of calm in a crazy world, it is not art for art’s sake. It has value. You’re paintings are lovely and special and unique. They are a good use of time. At least, that’s what I think.
aunt peaches
Agreed! This is pretty much what I tell myself every day. Whatever voice inside me that says ‘it must be functional to be worth your time’ is getting softer as I get older, but I’ll admit, it roars back every time I alter a painting in the home stretch to be more ‘appealing’ for decorative purposes. I know each piece has meaning or narrative, even if I am the only one who sees it. But this issue is certainly not unique to me. How many people spend their time working 40+ hours a week for a functional purpose (money) but do not come away with any feeling of meaningful purpose? This ‘can’t have your cake and eat it too’ thing gets super annoying when you realize the cycle of shifting for balance never ends. The battle continues!
Amanda
Well, if you make a little money on your art sale, then the whole endeavor is totally justified! 🙂
Jennifer O'Neil
i think it might be safe to say you are about to become the Adele of the craft/art/blogging world! Thanks for sharing the ride, AP!
aunt peaches
Yeah. So, you should totally feel free to comment here anytime @JenniferO’Neil. 😉
Amyks
I am still dying over all the amazingness of your flower paintings. I definitely hope I can get my hands on a few! I obviously have been following very closely on Instagram. I hope you don’t think I am a stalker;) but may be I am an art stalker! Can’t wait until May 3.
Nancy
Aunt Peaches, your art is feeding your soul, my soul, and the souls of everyone else who looks upon your glorious work…..how is that not important?
Vivian
Your art is very good, you’re very talent for painting and specially flowers painting . How much time you have been painting? I have a site about art, but my art is some different, is painting in nails, the nails are like a little canvas where you can do everything. There is something about my work
http://xn--uasdecoradas-9gb.co/40-disenos-de-unas-largas-decoradas-tendencia-actual/ I hope you like it.
Thanks for sharing and don’t forget you are very talented, congrats to you 🙂