If Mary Cassatt had a blog…

If Mary Cassatt had a blog…

…or any of the other amazing female artists from a time without Internet and blogging - what would they have blogged about?

     Today, so many artists have blogs or are connected to other artists through online networking. We get support beyond our  immediate environment and interact with people all over the world without traveling. This has opened a number of doors for artists.  You can interact and learn art online, or even find where to get the best quality and priced materials. You can see art online and learn and be inspired by what you see without going to a museum (although it is NOT the same!!!!); or view the work of an artist who may not be exhibiting at museums and galleries but has an online portfolio. There are ways to show your art today that weren't available before.

     Would Mary have written a blog and shared her frustrations with society’s outlook on woman artists in those days? Would she have shared her ambitions to paint professionally against these prejudices?  Maybe she would tell tales of her school days and how she didn't think she was learning anything so she moved to Paris and copied the masters at the Louvre. We could have heard of the people she met there. The frustrations of submitting work to the Salon and not being shown. The fact that her father disapproved of her way of life and wouldn't give her money for art supplies. How she almost gave up in despair.She went to America and wrote in a letter in July 1871- "I have given up my studio & torn up my father's portrait, & have not touched a brush for six weeks nor ever will again until I see some prospect of getting back to Europe. I am very anxious to go out west next fall & get some employment, but I have not yet decided where."  

     Thankfully she didn't give up! Eventually she went back to Europe and had success. She was very verbal and blunt about her ideas on politics in the art world, and I am sure I would have loved to read a blog of hers. At one point she debated and tried to paint in a more fashionable manner to be more marketable and make money doing commissions for the American socialites. This is a topic many of us are well aware of today. Do we paint more marketable paintings thinking of what people would want to buy, or are we true to ourselves and paint from our souls?

     We could have read about her interaction with impressionists; her friendship with Berthe Morisot and Degas and how Degas influenced her. On seeing Degas’s work she said, "It changed my life. I saw art then as I wanted to see it.”

     Mary decided early in life that marriage would not fit in with her career choice. Is this not still a big challenge for women artists today? How to balance our creativity with marriage and children? So many woman struggle with being an artist as a career choice and only go "back" to art later in life, when they have time. Women are still battling with society’s idea of women’s roles and how we can manage a career and family. If Mary had Internet, and could interact with other woman going through similar struggles as her own, would she have still chosen this road?

Later in life Mary created her most famous series of paintings and prints. She painted mothers and children in the most soft, tender and honest way.  I love these paintings.

 Here are a few for you to enjoy…The first one I saw at the Brooklyn museum this summer and it is just amazing up close.

You can see why I would LOVE these paintings!!!

     Mary went on to be a role model for many young artists and advised art collectors on buying Impressionist art.

     Imagine what influence she would have had today.

     I would like to give blog space once a month to celebrate female artists from around the world. We can all learn from them. Their struggles and issues are our struggles and issues. I would like to try and see the world through the eyes of these amazing women, learn from them and discuss issues that were important to them and may still be relevant today.

Birth and Creation

Birth and Creation

I just experienced one of the most amazing experiences I could have ever wished to be a part of…..

A very good friend of mine honored me by asking me to be a part of her baby’s birth. Months ago, when she first asked me, I was so touched that she would want me there, but also a little nervous and scared. I had never been to anyone’s birth except those of my own children.

   I am very lucky to be able to say that I brought 3 very different children into this world, each in their own unique and beautiful way. Each pregnancy and birth was so beautiful, natural and miraculous. When I was pregnant with my first child, I devoured every book I could get my hands on about pregnancy and birth. I wanted to be prepared!   My favorite books (and those I reread in preparation for this experience) were by the amazing Ina May Gaskin. The book- Spiritual Midwifery blew my mind away. I loved being pregnant and was really looking forward to having this little person in my life, but I was scared of the actual birth experience. We are always afraid of the unknown, aren’t we? But these books helped me see the spiritual, emotional and loving side of the birth itself. My births turned out to be beautiful experiences in my life and I am sure that the positive way my children came into this world has helped in starting them off to be the amazing people they now are and are still growing into.

Now, I have a little secret. When I grow up (ha-ha!) I want to be a Doula. I would love to be able (if I can) to help other woman have such positive birthing experiences. I can't think of a better way to spend my life than by being apart of bringing life into this world.

My experience from the past 2 days with my friend has only strengthened this as a goal in my life. It was so beautiful. To be a part of the journey of this little soul into this world, and to help make that journey as calming and positive for the mom and dad.

I am so honored and moved to have witnessed such love between two people and the creation that love inspired.

Today I’m looking at the world slightly different (Although, It could be from lack of sleep)…I see creation, I see love, and I see miracles.

It was by birth and connection with myself as a mother that brought me back to my art. Art is like birth and motherhood.  I am lucky to be creating art daily and helping others on their journey of creation and connecting to that part of themselves.

I hope someday I will be as blessed to be helping people bring their creations into this world through childbirth as well.

For now, all I can say is THANK YOU to my friends for inviting me along on such a beautiful, personal and loving journey. 

Today was a good day!

     Today was good day!

     I feel a little guilty saying this knowing that my kids weren’t home at all. Their father took them camping for two days and I decided to use that time to do all the things I haven’t been able to do when the kids are  home.

     So… the first day, I DID NOTHING!!!! It was amazing! I hadn’t done that in so long! Just sat around in my PJs  reading, watching TV, catching up on facebook….Okay, okay…so I did do some practical stuff, like  banking, laundry and cleaning, but I did it very relaxed!!!!

     Today started with surprise. A friend of mine took a course this year called "Oh Mama", at Hebrew University. Its focus was on Art and Motherhood. It was a fascinating course and she decided to write her paper at the end of the year about me and my art. During the year, we had sat together often and discussed art and motherhood. She interviewed me about my art, and this morning I read the paper she wrote. It moved me to tears!  First of all, it was interesting to read about myself!  Plus some of the things she wrote about my art were enlightening. She saw things that I never thought of, or intended, in my paintings. I always use to wonder what some of the artists in museums and books would think about the interpretations we have made of their art work. Reading this paper today gave me a feeling of what it is like to have someone else write about you and your intentions from their perspective. I hope her professor is as moved as I was!!!

     I then spent the rest of the day PAINTING!!!! What a pleasure! I really haven’t done that in too long.  During the month of August the kids were home everyday, all day, leaving no time to paint. Then the school year started and I thought I would be able to get back into my painting. But then I was too preoccupied with planning all my classes and teaching (and learning to write a blog!) to find that big chunk of time to really dive in. Today I did, and boy does it feel great!  If you are an artist you know that feeling: that amazing feeling of getting lost in your artwork. It is the best feeling on earth. It is a spiritual, emotional and physical awakening. I feel energized, like I haven’t in awhile. I have noticed that about myself over the years: that when I don’t create I get down and when I am creating I am a different person.

     So, how do we find that balance between motherhood, life, work, and creating our art so we stay personally balanced?

     I think the problem is sometimes we want all or nothing. If we can’t find that perfect time, complete quiet, no kids…or whatever other obstacles we lay out for ourselves, we cannot create. I know I am like that. I need my space and time to paint. So for now, I am looking for that balance within my life, cause I am a mother, partner and teacher and all those things will get their full attention; but I need to –no, I HAVE to -  paint. I have to for my own sanity, in order to be a good mother, partner and teacher. Therefore, I am putting aside one day a week from now on. I have one morning that I don’t teach and I am NOT going to go shopping or meet friends or even read a book! I will paint! The dishes will still get done, the laundry sorted and food will be on the table … and I will be HAPPY to do it!!!!

     So, don’t make excuses to not create! Make time for yourself. Put time aside every week to create. The time will never be perfect so don’t try to make it so or wait for it to be, just DO IT!!!!!

Is anyone else struggling to find that balance? Write a comment here and share your experience. Maybe we can all learn from each other and encourage one another….

Musings on teaching

Musings on teaching….

I have written a lot about my art and my life connected to art, but what I haven’t yet talked about on this blog, is  a very important piece  of my artistic career- Teaching!

There is that saying by George Bernard Shaw which people always joke about "He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches." As I sat down to write these musings, that quote popped into my head, and I was thinking of its validation. I think that there are plenty of people that excel in what they "do" but cannot teach it to others. And there are those who teach, not because they "cannot" but maybe for more practical reasons like…making money! There are many successful artists who still need to teach to make enough money to live. It is actually very practical. You love something; you are good at it; why not try and pass that on to others! Inspire! That’s what good teaching is all about, right? Inspiring.

I think that I "do" and I "teach" from my passion to "do".  Does that make sense?

I love to teach. I went back to school later on in life. It took me awhile to reconnect with myself and discover what I wanted to do. But when I went back to school, it wasn’t just to do and learn art, but specifically to learn how to teach art to others. The biggest part of my education was reconnecting with myself as an artist. I became passionate about art again. When I teach, I feel my job is to inspire others with my passion for art and what I "do". If I didn’t "do" it, I don’t think I could teach it.

Committing to writing a blog

Committing to writing a blog

So, maybe committing to writing a blog right before summer vacation started wasn’t the best idea! I have taken a month off without meaning too! After camp was over and the kids were home fulltime, well…time flew by without me realizing it. But it was a great summer. The kids had fun, relaxed, and have now gotten back into a school schedule, and my life is back on track. My classes have all restarted. It is great to have people back in the studio creating and having fun. I now have time to paint again and get back to my Thursday morning blog writing!

 I started this blog more for myself than anything. I have written in the past that I don’t want this blog to be just about me and my life. My intention isn’t to tell you all about myself and for people to comment and relate to that.  I do feel I have a story to tell and experiences to share that would benefit others; and I have seen on other blogs and know for myself that sometimes just reading that someone else is dealing with similar issues as you can help you get through them. When I first got divorced, I read a lot of blogs of other single parents and I felt less alone; not only because of what they wrote, but seeing so many others responding and hearing their stories as well. It really made me believe in the good side of the internet! A place for people to connect and share.

But, I started this for another reason. Like I said: for myself - to challenge myself.

I have always loved to write. When I was little I wrote poems. Cute little poems that I was very proud of and very embarrassed if my parent read them out loud! As I grew older my writing was more for myself, and I never thought of it as a creative outlet.

I never even thought of it as creative! My art was what made me "Artistic" and "Creative". Writing was more personal. The older I have gotten, and the more writing has benefited me in my life, I realize the strong relation it has to my Art. A lot of the same feeling I get when painting, I get when writing. The frustration when nothing comes out…and the excitement when it all just overflows and pours out!! As Picasso said, “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary"

So, to me, this blog is also my new creative challenge: every week, to sit down and commit to writing. Writing publicly! Putting myself a little (a lot!!!) out of my comfort zone. This is how we grow, as people and as artists. By connecting with others and putting ourselves out there.

One of my favorite quotes is by Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb "To us art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risks"

So this is my new adventure, and I am taking a risk with you and myself with the hopes of growing personally, artistically and connecting in a new way to the world.

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!- Audrey Hepburn

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!
Audrey Hepburn

I love this quote! And Audrey Hepburn was definitely a creative woman we can all learn from.

I didn’t always live my life by this wisdom. But for the past few years I have. I have been living my life with belief in myself and my dreams. It has not always been easy (I talked about that in last week’s blog), but I feel that lately it is all pulling together. Lots of positive things are happening to me and I believe it’s because I now believe in myself and allow myself to dream and to believe these dreams will come true.

As you know I participated in "Art Takes Time Square" this past June, where one of my paintings was displayed in Times Square, along with those of other artists from all over the world. Well, I just received an e-mail informing me that one of my paintings will now be in a BOOK!!! I am so excited! Check this out-

Your artwork has been selected to appear in the 2012 edition of Art Takes Times Square

 Dear Deena, 

We have exciting news. After reviewing the work you submitted into the Art Takes Times Square competition, our Editorial Committee has chosen one of your pieces to be featured in our upcoming publication, Art Takes Times Square.

Out of the tens of thousands of artists who entered the Art Takes Times Square contest, only a select few will appear in this publication. You can take pride in knowing that your work was among the best we saw, and we believe this special coffee-table book will be even better with your art included.

This particular painting is the one which I had hoped would be picked to be displayed on Times Square, even though I was happy that any one of my paintings was chosen. It would have been very special to have seen this one on the billboard for many reasons, so I am SO happy they picked this painting for the book.

I am going to keep on dreaming big, and see what other positive surprises life has in store for me!

And please remember…DREAM BIG!!!!

Who Does She Think She Is?

My idea for this blog is that it shouldn’t just be about me and my art, but a celebration of woman, motherhood, art and creativity.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to combine these things. A lot of woman artists stop creating when they become mothers, or their creativity shifts to a more practical route. Now this makes a lot of sense. Once you are a mother, time isn’t always available. You need to learn to multitask your life between being a partner and mother, and juggling work and friends.  It is not always easy to find time for yourself. Ask any mother of little kids when was the last time she sat down to read a book and she will probably laugh.  When I first got divorced, there were many people who told me I should give up on my art and find a more practical job. "You should teach art in the school system" or my favorite - ‘you should do art in your free time (ha ha) and get a regular job’. I am very grateful and lucky for the fact that most of the people in my life didn’t say that and were very encouraging and supportive. I think that I am very lucky to do what I do. I get to be a full time mother and work at a job that I love! I have people coming to my studio to learn art and be creative. I get to inspire and be inspired daily. My studio is right there, ready and waiting for me to create daily. I feel I am a better mother when I give myself the chance to make art and express myself.

One of the big influences on me to stick with my art was the movie-"Who Does She Think She Is?" This is a documentary about women struggling to live creative lives and balance with motherhood and family. It talks about the guilt women feel when putting aside time for themselves to create. It deals with questions such as: how to create and not turn your back on family and community? How does this affect children and family? Why are women always caught between giving to others and developing their own skills? This movie empowered me and encouraged me to realize that I can live my WHOLE life.  I would love for my blog to inspire others.  I have received a lot of responses to my blog from women who told me how hard it is/was to keep creating when life got in the way. I would love for people to respond and comment here on your thoughts on this issue. Maybe we can start a conversation that will encourage others to live their WHOLE life. So when asked-"Who does she think she is?"  We can just smile and say “This is who I am!"

Please check out the website and be inspired. 

http://www.whodoesshethinksheis.net/