Catch and Release

Thank you for visiting my art page. This gallery is my dive into expressionism. It is part intuitive, and part intentional. I hope that it encourages anyone to be confident enough to explore their own interactions with life through art, or their chosen endeavor. Moreover, this gallery is most about gratitude - and the amazing feeling you get when you discover, or unearth an outlet, to express yourself at poignant times in life. This gallery is called « Catch & Release, » but it could also be called «  A Painting in a Day” (as each painting was completed from start to finish in the course of a day). There are 13 paintings in the original gallery-all created when the Covid-19 pandemic was so prevalent around the world. Since then, 2 more pieces have been added. That said, all the pieces represent resiliency to me in some way. During the time of this gallery’s creation many causes that shed light on the human condition and vulnerability were at the forefront. I discovered an outlet to sieve through it all, that would allow faith and optimism to override worry. I chose to channel my ensuing thoughts with artistic expressions, and this painting journal came into being. I started with virtually no tools at all, and my first piece « Weeping Spring » was painted using reeds of grass that I picked from a walk along a beach trail. As the year went on I painted more. I am so glad that I tapped into this medium! My painting journal is more about the process, than the paintings themselves. I believe it’s about listening and responding ….and most of all, trusting in your own process. Moreover, this gallery/journal represents process, resilience, and creative discovery. These paintings are not random creations; each one holds a story that surfaced when the moment called for it, urgent, necessary, and true to its own time. Along with each painting I later wrote poems that captured my feelings or thoughts at the time. The poetry was able to illuminate and confirm in words my experience. The poetry can be read in my media pages. You’ll see a link at the end of this note. I hope that the paintings capture my love of color. I have tried to use it to amplify my compositions. I hope that you find that each piece has ‘wallpower’ - and the ability to motivate you, in your own journey. I’ve learned that expression is more important than perfection. I’ve also learned that there is an artist in all of us. That’s the attitude that propels me when I take on the task of exercising my process. That said, it also took the convergence of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual energy to complete each piece. This painting journal was my “marathon,” in every essence of the word. I hope that those viewing the gallery can see that there is a symbolic value in that. At the exact time of composition, each piece represented a moment when I felt extremely sensitized to the environment around me. So in turn, I expressed on canvas and other materials what was playing out in my mind. I hope that this artwork connects others with their own creative outlets, because art is a collective, not just one person’s experience. It is truly the result of sharing in the experience of others who have shared, while at the same time giving motivation to those that will dare to share in the future..… Art acknowledges and explains, what sometimes is difficult to define. I hope that more people find outlets to express themselves during times like these, because everyone has a story worth sharing. Lastly, I hope that you can sense that this mode of expression brought me joy- especially as I got into my flow state. And that is my wish for others- Hope and Joy! Find out more about how I have continued this gallery by including a journal with the art/ poetry & reflection. Here’s a link: https://media.artcall.org/5536/files/_98792b.pdf All the Best Wishes, Anita