INNER VOICE

From Robert Genn Twice-Weekly Letter of May l6, 2009, came a thoughtful post that was sent in by
Pam Ryan of Wilmette, Illinois. She attached a letter she received from an anonymous juror
The juror went on to say: "It's vital for any artist to nurture and protect that which makes their vision unique. One needs to go inward instead of outward and learn to trust your own inner guide."

"If you have one rule to follow," she wrote, "I suggest cultivating a dialogue with your inner voice, listening to the clues your own images offer."

I love to listen to artists explain their work. I have a sculptor friend who makes the most amazing creations and has a long story full of symbols and imagination about each piece. From wood, stone and metal, theater and worlds emerge. He and his work are almost the same. He's fascinating, and people love him and his work.

I wish I had more words to explain my pieces, but somehow I can't quite get them out. I'm going to work on that, and not just for other people, but for myself. I think I miss a lot of self awareness if I jump from piece to piece without thinking about why I painted that particular work. For example, I am fascinated by women of Tibet that I am currently painting--particularly their smiles, their great big smiles. I have a huge emotional response to a person who lives in such hardship and yet keeps her children and even her village together, and still somehow seems to be able to be happy, even if it is for a moment. Perhaps it is those moments that keep her going. I think perhaps it is my own search for happiness that makes me seek these women out. From my cushy sofa, my problems seem so trite, and I want to smile like they do--Oh how I admire them!