a pocket full of artful empathy

Historically I made paintings about people, places or things. Representational art that was always about somebody, somewhere or something. I never really cared for abstract paintings much, because I could never bother to understand them, or even try for that matter. 

My life went though a series of over hauls the past decade. Maybe that's just what happens to everyone, and it just feels "especially over-bearing," because when shit happens in your own life, you just tend to feel it more. And that's really what I needed and wanted to do, was to "feel more."

At this same time I started to tackle the "abstract" painting, because I wanted to understand it, wrap my head around it and was tired of being afraid of it. So I jumped right into painting color, without trying to paint a person, place or thing. Just color...and possibly dare I say "feelings?" 

And so this is where I have landed in my studio for the time being. When I am not being commissioned to make paintings about families, the Rocky Mountains, and poppies, I am making paintings about energy, color, love and empathy. 

A friend just recommended I pick up the book, "Tiny Beautiful Things, Advice on love and life from Dear Sugar," by Cheryl Strayed. Somehow my paintings, or my writing about my paintings evoked her to evoke me to get this book and get reading. And so I did. And the stories and concepts and ideas in this book of "advice," make all the sense in the world to me - and why I paint the way I have for the past decade. In trying to get real, to feel more, and to not be afraid of things I don't understand, has encouraged me to delve into the universe of painting abstracts. The larger the better. And oh how I love where I'm at right now with my "life's work," and am grateful to be a working artist every day that I'm still living and breathing.

I hope you enjoy my latest painting, "Dear Sugar, (A Pocket of Delights)." And thank you, Cheryl Strayed, for writing some real good shit.

"Dear Sugar, a Pocket of Delights" 60"x60" mixed media on canvas, 2017, all rights reserved by Laurie Maves ART

The election is over.

And many people still cannot avoid engaging in conversations about it.

About who won, about who lost. About walking out, about hope for change. About sadness and disappointments over glass ceilings, about walls going up, coming down, my side vs. your side, vs. no one vs. everyone.

As an artist, freedom of speech truly relates to what I do and what I make and what I share. As a full time artist, I make my living by exercising my freedoms. And people pay me to express their thoughts, ideas and inspirations.

I'm not here to tell you what to do with your thoughts about the outcomes of November 8th. I too have been on winning and losing sides of coin tosses, athletic events, art contests and elections. As I'm sure we all have as human beings.

I am here to tell you however, that my newest mission, and possibly my newest tag line as an artist, will no longer be, "I'm here on this planet to make your painting." Yes I still feel that this is true. But I feel a stronger calling of creating a movement of "stronger together" through spreading Love, Hope and Joy through Artworks. This is what I can offer as an individual. I pledge to no longer whine about my situation or spread ugly thoughts or nastiness because that does not help build a stronger community or better human relations. Empathy is queen. Love is Hope is Joy.

Drawing Time-Lapses Dance

Greetings dear ones who like to follow the process of how Laurie Maves ART is made.

I'm attempting to make a daily drawing and document the process via time-lapse photography. These pieces are intended to be loose, light, inspirational and experimental in regards to mixing media. If there is a subject matter you wish to see reproduced here on paper, please let me know your ideas.

Happy Tuesday!
time lapse 1

http://youtu.be/JGWfKY0YWWQ

time lapse 2

http://youtu.be/DZ-vLv4T29Y

"The Rose Series," drawings offered February 2014

Not that I could be looking for anything more in life. I have a rich and abundance-filled existence right now! BUT!!! I seem to need more. I've got a dear friend who always says, "I don't need it all, i just want more..."
So I don't know exactly what that means for me.
I know it has to do with sharing my art with those that need it.
Many find it healing.
And I know in my heart it's my life's purpose - making images and messages via paintings and drawings for people.

On this trek of sharing my gifts with all of you through this amazing tool of social media, during the month of February, I will be offering daily drawings inspired by some spiritual teachings I have been drawn to over the past year. One of these drawings already found a home. As if the piece was made specifically for a dear friend of mine, Bernadette Slowey.

These messages are not mine. I made these drawings while listening to someone else's teachings. But they are all about love, light, growth, and expansion.

I don't even know how this will work. And some images may not reach anyone in particular. A friend of mine told me I should make a book of these images, so I will diligently document each image before it goes out the door.

But I feel they are too important to stay on a stack on my work table. So out they will come. One by One into the world. Maybe one will come to you. I don't know if I will even "charge" for them. I'm thinking I will take donations by what you think they are worth, what you can afford. All of your monies will go into a pool to buy more supplies for the studio, so that I can make more images as they come into my brain.

I will call them "The Rose Series," inspired by a girl that I have never met, but one that is trying to reach us all, to let us know we all have a path on this earth, and to follow our hearts in the process.

Denver artist, Laurie Maves Art paints Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours"

For Monday's blog we will take a little trip down memory lane.


First I made this LOVED-based painting in my Denver studio:

   

"Look into your heart and you will find
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
It's our god forsaken right to be
LOVED LOVED LOVED..."Jason Mraz.

Then some dear friends of mine took the painting on a road trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwbnSbefMR8

and then people were inspired, and happy and danced and sang.

Happy Monday to you.
Keep spreading it.