TEOS fanmail sent from greetingsfr0m@gmail at 9:46: First thing. I /really/ like your art. Second thing. Where does your mind go when you paint? How did you learn to disconnect and let your pencil flow?
To: greetingsfr0m@gmail at 10:15From: TOES Fanmail
First off: Sick email address. As my assistant would say I’m /low-key/ upset I didn’t think of it first. Cheesy? More than likely. By the sound of her laughter, I’m definitely too old to be trying to keep up with the young these days.
Second: Thanks for the love, I mean it! These little reminders from the universe that people actually do like what I put out there are always nice to come across. Humbling, even. That's a question I’ve been asked a number of times over the years and as disappointing as this might sound, I’m still not sure how to answer that? But for your sake, I’ll try.
Would it sound strange if I say nowhere and everywhere? Because that’s kind of what it feels like. Like I’m standing in the middle of nothing and everything at the same time. I guess to give it a real-world example I’d say this: Have you ever found yourself walking deep into the forest and just stopped to breathe? Or standing in front of the ocean, watching the waves? It’s kind of like that but in my head. An infinite place of possibility. Disaster or success? Try your luck and see for yourself. Every time I wake up I find a new surprise on the page or canvas.
It took a lot of trial and error to learn to let go and let muse speak. If you ask my life-partner, she’d say I’m the most control-freakish of all hippies, but that’s her opinion. (And the truth) It can be a scary thing to create. In art, we strip ourselves bare, opening ourselves up to both misinterpretation and truth. They don’t tell you this, the masters and teachers, but creation is a test and an escape. The only person you’re competing against is yourself. The only person you need to find comfort in is yourself too. Just do it!
And this email just got incredibly long-winded and probably chock-full of bs. Haha! I hope not. I truly hope this finds you well and my rambles make sense. I did try. For you, and for your email address that I still want to steal.
Be well,M.A