Presence Of Mind

'Presence of Mind' by JPfeiffer 2012

Mixed Media Collage 50 x 40 cm

 $280

(Whoops! I wrote this 5 days ago and forgot to click on publish! Oh well nothing much exciting has happened since. I didn't sell the painting and not one soul turned up for the InterPlay session. Sometimes it is hard to stay positive you know!)

I'm off to the opening of the 'Bremick Emerging Artist Award' in Highgate tonight where this painting was selected to go in the exhibition. It is set behind a simple white mat board and white frame and I am hoping she will sell or better still win an award.

This is the last of numerous paintings I have entered throughout this year and though I have sold several, I haven't won any awards. I could sure do with a big fat boost to my working account.

There have been untold opportunities for exposure this year since being a member of Artsource and renting my studio from them. I am looking forward to some local residency programs next year and possibly overseas too.

Meanwhile I'm busy trying to get InterPlay groups happening in Perth and we have one coming up this Saturday. When it all gets too much and seems easier to give in, I remind myself that I love what I do most of the time and the world would not have my creativity or paintings to enjoy, nor would some people have the opportunity to build their self-confidence, dance, sing and tell their stories to their community without InterPlay.
So I soldier on with my own learning and growing, creating and showing, with as much love and energy and commitment as I can muster, not really knowing where it all will lead, content to know I am travelling on the road of my choice with the gifts and skills and ability that I have today.

There are a lot of circumstances that I find myself in where I am loving what another is doing and wishing it were me...like artists on there sixth solo exhibition or those exploring paint on huge canvases in barn sheds or those who have technically perfect painting skills or an in depth story behind a large body of work.

Then in my movement work I come alongside flexible young bodies flitting around and I feel like an elephant and creak like a dunny door! But, I tell myself, I have the guts to be there, I am enjoying what I am learning, no one is judging me (that I know of) and I just may be able to pass what I am learning on to other like-minded people that think they are elephants too, or mis-fits in some way, and maybe I can really help them notice, they too can paint or dance or both !