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© Artist Gina Jrel
June, 2006
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Wildflower Growing on a Freeway
Medium:
Oil, acrylic, and antique skeleton keys on gallery-wrapped canvas.
Dimensions:
49 3/4"w x 12"h
Edge Treatment:
Gallery-wrapped edges are hand-painted, and adorned with antique skeleton keys. No framing necessary.
Framing:
Unframed.
Price:
$2,200
Original available for purchase:
Yes
Available in Giclee:
Yes
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About the Painting:
I received an email from someone recently asking what I think of the book "the Artist's Way." When I explained
I was not a fan of Julia Cameron's book, she seemed a bit suprised. That got me thinking about why I am not a fan.
First, I think I should say that I am not much of a joiner or conformist. If the crowd is going one way, I will deliberately
go the other way. If there is an easy path, I will choose the impossible or most taxing one. If others copy my work, I abandon
all familiar things and explore new territory.
I am not much of a subscriber of self-help stuff. I find that either the desire / plague / urge / compulsion is there
or it isn't (and yes...compulsion is how I describe creativity.)
For me -- I will never have enough time in my life to paint all of the ideas I have. My creative energy is like a wild,
insane cat inside my head, constantly scratching the inner walls of my skull to get out. It is a wonder it doesn't drive
me bonkers. Fill the well? Ha ha. If my well were any more full, I would be a human tsunami.
I believe there is no one artist's way. Art, creativity and the way each of us is "wired" is individual, unique.
It is impossible to quantify that in a methodical way of living or making art, for each of us travels an independent path.
Every "true" artist I know struggles with different personal demons: their own processes, obstacles, challenges,
and creative battles. And their battles are intensly personal. There is nothing "groupie" or quantifiable about
it.
This said, this got me thinking about my own "way" as an artist, and how I would describe it visually.
"Wildflower Growing on a Freeway" is a metaphor for my own artistic journey: one that I constantly feel is out
of control. The tornado, a weather phenomenon I am both drawn to, and afraid of, serves to symbolize the many art-related
things I find myself swept up in (usually by my own doing).
The eyes are my own. Though they have a look of fear, they are still trained on the journey: one I am both afraid of,
but know it is my path to travel - my destiny. The lone flower, precariously growing out of the freeway, symbolizes my vulnerability,
the sense of being exposed without protection, and the solitude aspect of my journey: embarking on the unknown.
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