I thought I was going to give up painting.

I had a string of days after Trump was elected where I was ready to put down my dream--to stop trying so hard to prove that an artist can make a good living in the world and instead turn all my efforts towards protest and social justice. 

This election hit hard: the fight against White Nationalism has been screaming for my ardent, steadfast and deliberate attention.

It felt like my duty the second week of November to reconsider what is worth my energy and pursuit.

What a strange experience: cleaning up my space for Open Studios while MSNBC was airing polls and debates --states turning red while I was trying to organize my creative chaos and get over 40 paintings on the wall.
 

I considered that this year might be my last Open Studios for a while. My efforts felt less than extraordinary with so much uncertainty and fear in the world...

When Friday evening came, people came into my studio in all sorts of emotional states. Some smiling, a few laughing, many mourning and almost every one of them expressing a need to share.

For three days I went on to sell my work among conversations about politics and power. And when Open Studios concluded on Sunday evening and I shut my doors and took a moment to reflect, I noticed I was changed.

Struck by the vulnerability, determination, and resolve of everyone who came through.
Struck by the gratitude people showed for an opportunity to surrounded by beautiful things.
Struck that pretty much every piece in my studio had sold.

The election has ushered in many things: blatant white supremacy, misogyny, hate crimes and a total disregard for the environment. Open Studios did something for me I didn’t know it would... it helped me find my clarity amidst the barrage of my own rage and despair.

 

Since Nov. 9th, I know the following things to be true:

Some things about my life have changed.
Some things about my life must change.
Some things about my life won’t and shouldn’t change at all.

 

The work right now is knowing what is what in respect to each of those statements.

 

Post election and post open studios, I am renewing my commitment to moments of respite. As the political landscape evolves, I expect my colorful, nature based art will evolve with it. But what I don’t expect is that we will stop needing profound moments of hope and beauty. Afterall, thriving under the confines of injustice is incredibly hard, profound work.
 

As I continue to paint, I keep my commitments in mind:

I am committed to unlearning oppressive behavior.
I am committed to deconstructing antiquated systems.
I am committed to the struggle against racism, sexism, and xenophobia.
I am committed to looking deeply into the needs of the small and large communities of which I am a part.
 

These commitments do not replace my work in the world. Instead, they are finding their way into it. They are showing themselves every moment I pick up the brush, choose my colors and interpret my surroundings. They inform who I work with, what vendors I choose and who frames my pieces.

 

A local intuitive health practitioner, Mira Weil, also makes Flower essences. She recently gave me one and on the bottle she wrote:
 

 

 

Now is not the time to abandon our gifts and talents. They are what we have to offer the uncertain world. And in the end, ours is not the only livelihood that depends upon them.

Dec. 16th 5 - 7:30

Final Studio Sale
Arts & Industry Building  
221 Pine St, Florence, MA 01062

Studio 412
I'm opening my studio in the Arts & Industry Building of Florence to the public one last time this year. I hope you'll come in from the dark to find some warmth & light .

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While it's too late to get a special piece made in time for the coming Holiday Season, feel free to dream up ideas to re-inspire your home and life with me. We're going to need all the light and love we can get and I'd love for my work to make any part of that possible for you. 

Save 15% on fine art prints and original paintings online until Dec.10th by entering the coupon code: THANKS in checkout.

Shop Scout Cuomo Art for Holiday Gifts