The following guest blog post is contributed by Huron River Art Collective member Mary A. Lewison. Mary’s painting Glowing Dandelion Field was accepted by Juror John Gutosky into the Collective’s Fall Juried Exhibit, 2022.
Artists are dazzled by the possibilities every blank piece of paper represents. Each one has the potential to be an artist’s magnum opus – their best work yet and a “masterpiece”. I have a large supply of paper in my studio and stashed around the house and barn. I have potentially hundreds of masterpieces waiting to materialize into reality.
One spring evening,. I was struck by how the setting sun was shining through the atmosphere and the dandelion fluff west of our barn, causing everything to glow. I tried to capture the tangible quality of the light in my painting.
Each piece of paper’s destiny is determined with the first few marks made on it. It is no longer full of infinite possibilities. It has been set on a specific course as a graphite drawing or a watercolor or a pastel. That is what makes a blank piece of paper rather intimidating. With the first mark and each succeeding mark, it’s possibilities are reduced. All artists are full of hope for each piece of paper, or we could not make that first mark.
An artist knows that if we don’t connect with the Infinite inside of ourselves, if we stay on the surface of our consciousness, in our heads, our efforts will not produce anything that surpasses the sum of our skills. Artists think of being connected with this Infinite Source within ourselves as being “in the Flow” or as being “in the Zone”. We only get there when we let go of ourselves. Often for me, it’s when I realize the drawing or painting is rather awful! That’s when I give up control and allow the Infinite to take over.
The best works an artist produces come from this Infinite source. We stare at a painting or drawing that seems to be way beyond our capabilities, and we wonder how we got there – how it came into existence by our hand. And it’s wanting this connection with the Infinite that pushes an artist to get out another clean piece of paper and make another first mark.
Mary is a 7th generation Ann Arborite and an artist for more than a half century. Mary Lewison is currently self-employed at Open Waters Studio in her barn and home just west of Ann Arbor. https://openwatersstudio.com/ To inquire about purchasing this painting or other artwork by Mary A. Lewison, email: mlewison42@gmail.com
Huron River Art Collective’s Fall Juried Exhibit can be seen at the Ann Arbor District Library (lower level) through the Reception on November 13th, 2-4p. Artwork is available for purchase directly from the artists with no commission. Join us at the reception to hear from the Juror, John Gutosky, and for awards.
All members are invited to submit guest blog posts. For Guest Blog Post Guidelines, please email communications@huronriverartcollective.org.
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