Treffinger Daily: Mary Ann Wakeley- Art and Meaning

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Mary Ann Wakeley- Art and Meaning

L'art de la Seduction 18"x18" Mixed media on birch plywood, 2009

What meaning does doing art have for you?

When I am making art, I am experiencing the highest form
of communication with myself.....I am light and free, much
the way I feel when running with my favorite music on a clear
day and everything just flows..no obstacles, just pure good
feeling.....it is flying without wings...pure bliss. Making art
means being free to be who I am. It is the self created world
of personal meaning that connects me to everything and everyone

MaryAnn's site is: www.maryannwakeley.com
Her Blog is: http://maryannwakeley.blogspot.com/
Her flickr site is:http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryannwakeley
and this piece of art can be viewed at: flickr

20 comments:

M.A. Wakeley said...: This is a truly inspiring project, Katherine. Thank you again for letting me be a part of it.; June 17, 2009 at 8:03 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Mary Ann for your lovely response and for participating!; June 17, 2009 at 8:29 AM
ArtPropelled said...: Lovely piece! I've been enjoying Mary Ann's work for a while now. Great response ...."the highest form of communication with myself".; June 17, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Crimsonfirestudios said...: "Making art means being free to be who I am" Love this! Mary Ann love your wonderful paintings!; June 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...: I can't believe how well you managed to describe this. I'm sure other artists can relate!

♥ maria-thérèse www.afiori.com ♥; June 17, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Jeane Myers said...: Katherine, you've highlighted another one of my favorite artists! I love Mary Ann's work!; June 17, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Alicia Tormey said...: Beautiful art, compelling comments and wonderful project! Thanks Katherine!; June 17, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Katherine said...: Hi Robyn. Mary Ann's statement reminded me of her work. I loved the same part of the response you did.; June 18, 2009 at 7:54 AM
Katherine said...: Abstract Heart thank you for stopping in to comment and appreciate Mary Ann's lovely work and response. Be free to be you!!!; June 18, 2009 at 7:57 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you for visiting and commenting Maria-Therese! I know I could relate.; June 18, 2009 at 7:59 AM
Katherine said...: I told you Jeane we aim to please!; June 18, 2009 at 7:59 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Alicia, nice to meet you. Come join in!; June 18, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Angela Wales Rockett said...: I love Mary Ann's work, and you can definitely feel the connections to everything when you contemplate it. Great post.; June 18, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...: Beautiful paintings reflect a beautiful soul.x; June 18, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Anonymous said...: very great to see Mary Ann's wonderful and deeply spirited work on this great site of yours, Kat.
di aka she wolf; June 18, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Katherine said...: hey Di nice to see ya' here! Thanks for stoppig by!; June 18, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Carmen said...: I love Mary Ann's work!; June 19, 2009 at 6:48 AM
Bev Plowman said...: Free and Flying sounds like Mary Ann and her fantastic work. Etherial like floating on clouds!; June 19, 2009 at 7:09 AM
DMG said...: I am so glad to read Mary Ann's reflections on the meaning of art here. She's not only one my favorite artists, but she's an inspiring, beautiful soul!; June 21, 2009 at 4:48 AM
Katherine said...: Angela, Kayla, Carmen, Bev and Kathy, Thank you so much for stopping to comment on Mary Ann,s art and response. Jeez I feel like a party arrived whil I wasn't looking. Glad you all could make it!; June 22, 2009 at 9:26 AM

The Art And Meaning Project

The Art and meaning Project is a series of responses from various artists to the question: "What meaning does doing art have for you? In other words why do you show up in your studio, or wherever, and pick up your tools day after day?"

This is something I have thought of doing for a while as
a book, but now I have the blog and, who knows, maybe
it could become a book. I am very excited about this. I love hearing the answers. Showing up for their creations is
often an irresistible pull for artists. Many of us at any given
time ask ourselves why we are doing it. All the answers have a different response. Most of us can relate to at least some part of every response.

I want to hear the artists' answers. If you are an artist
and would like to contribute please email me. I will not guarantee that I will post everyone's answer, I need to
see what you have to say first and if it contributes more to the project.

THE ART OF KATHERINE TREFFINGER

ABOUT THE ARTIST
www.katherinetreffinger.com

I spent my childhood in Sausalito, California in the 50’s. It was a magical place, teeming with artists and creative expression. Across the street from our house was one of the coffeehouses where the “bohemians” came to listen to music, and writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder and Jack Kerouac read from their work.

It was a time when San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Sausalito were home to the abstract expressionist and Bay Area Figurative movements. My missing toys were found in the neighbor’s sculptures. I was often on tiptoes, peering into the windows of nearby studios and coffeehouses. I thrived in the wondrous mystery of this world.

Later, as an adult I had the good fortune to befriend Joseph Raffael and spend time in his studio. This was before I realized I wanted to be an artist myself. I was greatly influenced by his enthusiasm, dedication, and his ability to create beauty.

In hindsight, there was nothing else I really wanted to be than an artist. I paint and draw because I love to … and because I have to. I am primarily self taught.

When I stand before an empty canvas or piece of paper, I am lost, unaware of what to do. In fact, my most satisfying work comes from staying ‘lost’. Navigational confidence is seldom productive for me. Each piece becomes the recording of a unique introspective exploration.