"You should KEEP ON PAINTING no matter how difficult it is...unless it KILLS you, and then you know you have GONE TOO FAR." ~Alice Neel
Last Sunday a small number of women artists gathered at my house to watch the documentary, "Who Does She Think She Is?" It was a wonderful time of self-discovery and recovery of parts of our selves that were lost, collectively and individually. Moved to tears one moment and infuriated the next, we laughed, cried and shouted together.
In the movie, several women, from performing artists, sculptors, painters to producers, talk about the power of living on purpose, the power of living to express their art forms...because that is who they are. They were discovering that it is only right to be who you are meant to be, in spite of the roles society expects you to play as a woman, wife or mother. Some even felt that they would die if they did not create their art.
Some movie quotes:
"Art is all about not knowing where you are going...it's a transforming process."
"The more I paint, the more I understand my place."
Afterwards, our group discussed why some points of view, including family, society or even ourselves, questioned whether it was "selfish" to be an artists and pursue our dreams of creativity outside home and hearth. We wondered why we felt we had to be "allowed" to express ourselves or "ask permission" to create vs. having the choice to express ourselves in the world. Was talent something we are all born with, but some of us want/need to express it more than others? What is talent, but desire, love and passion expressed in many forms?
You're invited to leave comments on who you think you are as an artist or artistic being...and what contribution/purpose your unique vision/art makes in the world. ie. What does living on purpose look like for you and for your art?
And stay tuned...we'll be showing the movie again, extending the invitation to family and friends.
To check out the movie trailer, visit this link.
