Being interviewed by Karen, The Fog City Psychic on Blog Talk Radio was probably the high point of my week, or right up there with the Sag Full Moon/Eclipse meditation. We talked, we laughed and we were GREATLY inspired by the Sagittarian Full Moon Energy invigorating us all with passion, purpose, politics, and speaking up for our highest truth. Enjoy! (Click link above to listen)
On the Art of Life and Vice Versa
Inspiration via Michael Kimmelman's book The Accidental Masterpiece On the Art of Life and Vice Versa~ Eva Hesse (sculptor) said:
All my stakes are in my work. I have given up in all else. Like my whole reality is there - I am all there." It was and she was. That was Hesse's declaration of ardor and commitment, for which she was willing to bet the house. Sol LeWitt had encouraged that attitude in one of the great freewheeling examples of an inspirational letter from one artist to another. "Learn to say 'Fuck You' to the world once in a while, " LeWitt told Hesse. "You have every right to. Just stop thinking, worrying looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, gasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, rumbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose-sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding grinding grinding away at yourself, Stop it and just DO.
Journey Into Intimacy: Expression of the Divine Feminine ~ My Artist's Statement
I don’t believe in one truth or one way and so I paint abstractly to express multiple truths and ambiguities. It is often difficult for me to express my emotions so I am driven to paint them instead, often writing beforehand to gauge my mood.
I work with acrylics because of their watery, responsive nature and quick drying time which allows me to capture fleeting moods and fiery passions in brilliant colors that blend, bleed, drip and flow onto a smooth, prepared, wooden ground.
I work large (48”x 48”) because my emotions often feel huge and overpowering. A large surface allows me to express myself using my whole body, sometimes with large house painting brushes, a garden rake and my body pressed into the paint.
I think that viewers are most inspired by my use of color and by my spontaneous and free method of working. None of my paintings are pre-planned or pre-sketched. I don’t guess ahead when I’m painting, I let the painting lead me, no matter how long it takes. Sometimes one line can take hours and hours of just looking.
I hope my paintings inspire the discovery of hidden beauty.
Kathy V. Crabbe Temecula, California May 20, 2011
Art Matters
100 Words
Art Matters. Why? Because it inspires us to become more human, more in touch with who we are and how we relate to others, the world, the big picture.
Art takes time to appreciate. It's not fast food. Some art makes you think, some feel, some both, but good art changes you and how you see the world.
My first love was children's books; the wiener dog, the collage caterpillar, Czech and Grimm's fairytales. What about you?
Can art change the world? Can making art change your life? Name one artist who inspired you the most. (My fave: Matisse).
Painting Tip #1 (above and beyond 100words)
I don't guess when I'm painting. I let the painting lead me...no matter how long it takes. Sometimes painting one single stroke can take hours and hours and hours of just looking.
The challenge of living the artist's life plus looking for love in all the wrong places (100 words)
The Artist's Life
I could moan and groan and think and ponder ALL day long and do absolutely no painting because frankly it's all much easier than painting. "But painting is fun, it's child-like, it's playful," you say, and I say "NO" it's also gut wrenchingly challengingly because you are coming face-to-face with yourself and there is NO-WHERE to run, NO-WHERE to hide and no excuses, excuses are bullcrap and its not painting.
So next time someone says to you (if you are a painter, that is): "how fun, you paint" - look them in the eye and say: "It's not meant to be fun, it's most likely the most challenging thing I'll ever do and it ain't easy to put yourself on the line day in and day out without support or knowing if your work will be seen or appreciated by a single soul, much less make a living - it's a limbo-state and that's where artist's dwell. So please, FUN is not the word for it." Although if you offered me any other life in exchange for this one I would have to decline.
Making $ would be nice, but it certainly isn't any reason to be an artist and if you're in it for the money and fame that's your ego speaking and there no room for that in art, it just gets in the way of soul and it messes with your head BIG TIME (and yes, having fun can mean expressing anger, in a healthy way).
My day in 100 words (plus 3* unmentionables)
Sometimes the only f*ing way to save my sanity is through painting because only the painting matters ~ all my f*ing doubts and fears and worries and stress and anger and resentment and hate and sadness and pain are released when I paint and yes, love too and passion and joy and wonder and hope. It all goes into the painting where it can safely reside rather than tear me apart inside. Why should you care? Because my paintings can f*ing knock your socks off especially if you're looking for love in all the wrong places. ha. Well look no further.