What will you create this summer?
Happy Summer Solstice!
I want to open this letter by asking:
What is the importance of an art practice?
For me, the art making process is a compass. It is what helps me navigate the tides of joy and despair that are a natural part of being alive. Through the process of making art, I am able to better see and understand the lessons pain has to offer me.
In hard times, despair is what calls us to step into our roles as creators, resistors, leaders, team mates, friends, loves. One of my greatest fears is around pain and disappointment. But I also realize that these feelings are pathways to creative action — and that through art making, I can actually transform my fears into a felt sense of hope. Art — when used as a tool in this way — is how I stay alive and well. It is by way of art and direct action, that we can continue to strengthen our roles as a co-creators of the world we dream possible.
Hope has become an enormous theme this month. So enormous, it manifested as square footage. I have been wanting to buy a home for almost two months. Last week, I came upon a duplex in poor condition, but with great bones. I can see this place for what it is -- old, forgotten, a huge undertaking with plenty of potential issues. But I can also see it for what it will be-- a space I can love and call my own... and a future home to other creative professionals in the area.
Two months ago, I knew nothing about buying a home or renovating a building. But something happened when I decided I wanted to know more: suddenly, almost out of nowhere, a team of help was there support me. In the past two months knowledgeable “home building” people have offered so many insights, helping me uncover new questions I wouldn’t have even thought of asking.
In all of this, so many fears and issues have come up that have sent me into a cold panic. This panic has forced me to lean into my practice of meditation, gratitude, and “one step at a time.” This is much like painting— not focusing on the end product looking the exact way you desire, but feeling into the process and fostering a sense of hope that allows you to explore what kind of artist you are and who and how you want to be as a person.
I’m excited to share that I’ll be moving into my scrappy duplex at the end of the summer.
And guess what the name of the street is?
HOPE.
Every person is a creator-- of their days and of their lives. The art practice is a tangible way of seeing how ideas, when acted upon, create a rewarding life of learning and expansiveness.
I invite you to join me for five weeks this summer in my Wednesday painting class. We will create large paintings (30" x 30") on repurposed windows. The image below is an example of what you could make.
Sessions will be held WEDNESDAYS: July 25th, Aug. 1st, Aug. 8th, Aug 15th, Aug 22nd: 5-8pm. Classes have filled up this session, and you can join my mailing list to stay up to date on future fall classes.
In love and gratitude for art, for action and for you,
Scout
PS: Does it make you nervous to imagine painting a large piece of art? Good. It does for me too! Everytime!
I encourage you to lean in, and am here to help you along.