Lari Washburn is an artist from Maine (USA) who writes one of these rare, authentic blogs.
She does not post feel good stories day in and day out: instead she honestly shares what is on her mind – and what comes out of her hands.
She has great taste in art and many of the artists she writes about on her blog have become favorites of mine, too.
 |
| Textile designs by Lari Washburn |
Often she won’t post for weeks. A big no-no according to all art marketing gurus but hey, Lari does what she thinks best.
And I applaud her. I will keep following her blog anyway, and am willing to wait for a few days or weeks until she thinks of another interesting thing to share. Life is like that – at times you are more into blogging, at other times less.
Right now she is busy with her garden so the blog is in a quiet phase again.
All right, I will admit I wish her garden were a bit smaller!
 |
| Springcater, Lari Washburn |
Lari works in watercolor, acrylic and collage. She has a great sense of rhythm and colour – her work is always subtle and light, the subject matter bordering on the organic.
A few days ago Lari posted about why she was making art at all. She got quite a few reactions,including one from me, which she answered again. I asked her if I could repost them on my blog and here they are:
 |
| Netpaintings by Lari Washburn |
Last week I took some drawings to a gallery and got some feedback. It was helpful. It was painful. It was that he could not see what I cared deeply about in the drawings I showed him. So I started thinking about what I care deeply about, and realized that I love exploring surface quality. So this week I just explored the shit out of surface quality. And here is some of what I did. It made me think about why I make art. I make art to understand something that can’t be understood. I make art to do something when nothing can be done. I make art to feel something enough to heal it. I make art to make something from nothing. I make art to give something when I have nothing to give. I make art to be in this moment more fully. I make art to express the joy of living in this one moment with no idea what will happen next or what any of it means. I make art to find out what I think. I make art to make something of beauty that I hope someone else will be enriched by just a little bit. I make art to share God knows what with the world. And there are lots of other reasons I make art that I am too ashamed to admit. Anyway, I keep on making art, and I guess that’s good.
Read the full post and reactions here
Lari’s answer:
Tags: interview
I'm so glad you posted this, Kitty! I really loved Lari's heartfelt post and like you, I wish her garden were smaller too! I love reading everything she shares.
It's so important for us to talk about these ideas around making art and the continuing battle that goes on in our heads saying "does anyone like this beside me". It's that motto, be true to yourself and they will follow. So, so hard to think that way 100% of the time!
50% of the time will do, too! We make art because we love to play, is what I think..
O, love the cute little springcater so much!
Oh Kitty! Thank you so much for this. It really is such a good good community we have going here. It means the world to me to be a part of it. I can't wait to see what you do next with your blogs. As soon as I figure out how to deal with my camera not working so well I will be back to more regular blogging. Any advice on a good one? XOXO
What wonderful women you all are!!! I really loved this post — exactly what I needed to read right now. Thank you Kitty. :)
I love the bubble texture in the net paintings.