“A Necessary Condition”
I’m going in a little different direction with my artwork lately as the economy has greatly changed the customer traffic at the Cha’ Tullis Gallery. Since the bombing of New York business started to slow and with the talk of war it continued to worsen and finally with the war business has all but stopped. I don’t know if it will return, but at this point I can’t wait any longer, it’s time for change. I don’t know if the Gallery itself will survive and I’m not sure exactly if that’s a bad thing or not. This world we live in is always changing and the gallery has been open since 1977 and has gone through many changes in the years. So what’s next, well I’m not really sure, I’ve made a few connections and am working on some “New designs” for a completely new line with a “new” look. I’m not going to make it public until I’m certain everything is in order but I will tell you that it’s a brand new direction for us.
I remember once an elder told me that change was a necessary condition of growth. I never gave it much thought until now and it makes sense, after these years of getting comfortable I’ve become predictable. As an artist I need the challenge of change and as I test the limits I’ll grow, not just as an artist but as a person as well. We are all guilty of getting comfortable in life and I’m no different I guess but until now I hadn’t realized how it had infected my artwork. I’ve become relaxed and less likely to push the limits, I don’t like to admit it but I’m scared of the possibility of rejection. I’ve stood in the safe zone long enough. As an artist creating a different style I stand the possibility of losing the support of all those who have cheered me on through the years. However if my style becomes stagnate, eventually those supporters would soon wane anyway. So hopefully the timing is right, the style will be right and the designs will be right. The funny thing is I’m the last person that would of thought to go in the direction that I’m going.
Why am I writing this warning about the change like I need your permission? Maybe to feel safe or maybe to justify my actions so as to soften the possibility of rejection. I suspect it’s because I’m really scared of the change and I just need to hear myself from the outside. Sometimes to get a clearer look at myself it helps to put it down in black and white and read it outloud to myself.
This world we live in now is different, it changes everyday and our safety isn’t what concerns me. Getting lost in the concerns and worries of tomorrow while forgetting the joys of today is what concerns me. We are given this day only once. What if it’s our last and we miss it worrying about the ones that will never be.
Today I walked in my yard and enjoyed the flowers, watched a hummingbird feed on a sage bush, sat down next to my cat and we talked and worked in the studio. This evening after cooking chicken on the grill I took a walk with my wife Teena, our oldest daughter Sallem and our three dogs. Tonight I kissed and hugged our three kids and told them “I love you”as they went to bed for the night. The joys of my today!
Sharing the Journey
Cha’