M. Lehrer-Plansky Art and Meaning

"Gold 9" is mixed media, acrylic, fabric, stones,
wire and gold leaf 9 as a set , each canvas
measures 4" x 4"

What is the meaning of doing art for you?

The quick answer is love...love for art making but
to give a fuller answer let me begin with the many
reasons I no longer have for art making. In the
beginning I wanted to BE an artist, I wanted to
prove I was good at this art making. So everyday
I would work at it, taking classes, juried shows,
small venues to show work and then galleries etc.,
all to prove I was an artist and I did a fair enough
job...even with some moderate sales. I had a studio
back when my children were small and I felt the
pressure of studio rent...proving my time and money
spent on learning my craft was important. Underneath
all that was this little girl excitement about art.
Gathering myself and going to the studio (stopping
for coffee first) was one of my most joyful experiences...
me going to MY studio.

All that is past, my children are grown, my studio is
in my home (rent free) and I have proven myself
enough,...great pleasure in accomplishment but my
real reason is for the love. I'm still learning, still
willing to grow but not in the proving mode, now it's
finding ways to best express Mary Ann.

Some days I go in with a story or journey I want to
explore, beginning one way and willing to have a
dialogue with the imagery, the paint and texture. I've
been doing this most of my life and I don't feel I have
scratched the surface...I'm never bored and always
willing to go back in to see what is next. Sure, I get
disappointed but most important is today and the next
and the next day. This is creating and the love of
creating and it is what we are made of.

Mary Ann's blog is:
www.blueskydreaming-sc.blogspot.com
Her email is: marnya@cruzio.com