Saturday, November 08, 2008

Andy Warhol spoke to me in my dream...

and told me I don't look like a real artist. My hair is not asymmetrical, funky colored, or especially textury. My clothing and accessories pretty simple, straight forward. Usually dressing up means a clean black skirt (I am talking about cut, not fabric because there is usually something smeared on me). Dressing down jeans and sweater (I will here profess my detestation of tennis shoes if that counts for anything-- uglier than sin-- and unless I am running distance or playing a hard core sport I will not wear them- but I digress) Suffice it to say I am not exotic. Smart mama is not bangly, wild, eccentric. I look too...I don't know... normal.
Then Andy got on my case about my personality. He took me on a journey through dreamland to view the lives of artists. You know those who exude interesting artiness, to the point that you kind of consider them a special subspecies because they think and act very differently than you or I. It became obvious to me that I lack the artist "weirdness", okay PC that, the "passionate flair and flamboyance." I don't go by a mono name, nor am I named after anything organic, and no, no obscure literary figure either. I don't live in a uber-chic loft, and hang with an crowd of "interesting characters" (no slight to you my peeps). You know what I am talking about: scarf wearing poets, bald tortured playwrights, a hippie women getting PhDs studying tribes and funky anthropological stuff, struggling actors, soulful gig playing musicians, and others tortured by arts and passions.

Truth be told I am more of a weird artist than I like to admit-- I think constantly in a stream of images I try to mentally "tune them in"-- think like a radio station with static only in picture form. I scribble them in sketchbooks and hope at the end of the day when the laundry is done I'll remember enough and have some shred of energy remaining to recreate them in paint. If you ever wonder why artists seem spacey and distractable- this is why...

Maybe I am failing to nurture my artist mystique? If I seem more like an artist will people respect my art more? Or the better question...will they pay more?? (smart mama laughing). Is this an expectation is it part of artist PR and spin? For now I guess I am stuck playing up the enigma angle-- she looks like just a normal mom but is really a crazy artist.

11 comments:

LL said...

LOVE that shot of you. You are NOT just a "normal mom" nor are you a "crazy artist" YOU my dear are a BEAUTIFUL SMART Mama Artist, cupcake maker, picture taker, and friend...need I go on? I could. that picture of you is gorgeous.

Trueman twins said...

You have some really intense dreams! It just goes to show that you can't judge a book by it's cover...BEAUTY on the outside and INCREDIBLE talent on the inside. My dear you are the total package!

Chellie said...

You are a wonderfully talented and beautiful artist!
Was that really your dream? :)

Christy said...

Great & beautiful picture!
From a different angle..you are totally different..who else does all the amazing things you do and keeps offering to do more!
So glad to be a smart mama groupie!
I learn so much!

Rachael said...

It was so fun to meet you on Friday! Love your blog! I am adding you to my blog list!

Anonymous said...

great pic of you. And I think artist is such a broad term, there are so many places on the spectrum to land.

smart mama said...

chel- it was pretty close- andy warhol was there- but i had to translate it slightly from dreamese...I am known for my wacky dreams- dreaming in color schemes, dreaming in blog, dreaming in facebook format, dreaming in full episodes of the office- waking up can be suck a killjoy!

Shelah said...

man, you always have the BEST dreams!

Unknown said...

Yes. A vivid dreamer. May I join your club? It's a wacky world. That picture of you is NOT wacky. Just gorgeous. Let me know if that sock puppet cupcake comes to visit you in dreamland. He might have some profundities to share. You are cleverly creative without the exterior wierdness you're describing. Even better! Fun to meet ss#3. I have a great picture for you.

Becky said...

picture? GORGEOUS! Love it. Make that your new profile picture. So cute!!!

Swimmingmom said...

Love that picture! You're far from wacky or wierd. Although your dreams are pretty colorful! No need to change a bit. I love that you continually seek learning and growing.