Moving Day
During this time of year, artists are tempted to drift into inactivity and even play it safe with their artistic choices for their future endeavors. I have noticed that this couching of inspiration usually comes at a time when we should be making a play for the future. We tend to rest on our accomplishments achieved over the summer and Fall months, taking a "wait and see posture" rather than looking at this time as a season of planning or even a turning point in our art careers.
Recently I heard a church elder and former minister preach on this very subject. Being a lobsterman and part-time golfer, he likened this attitude to the sport of golf. He went on to say that you can pretty much watch the sport of golf every day of the week on a sports channel, watching the various players play their game. But then there comes "moving day" which is the second-to-the-last day of a tournament, usually Saturday, when players try to improve their standing on the leaderboard with a chance to move on. It's often considered the most important day of the tournament. The players actually try to position themselves for a chance at the final round by making choices to be moved on for a play in the big weekend spotlight. Many spectators expect the contenders to separate themselves so they can get a clearer idea of what might happen in the final round, usually featured on Saturday and Sunday. He used this message to encourage us all to do something.
My takeaway from his message likewise, is to see this time after the Summer and Fall as a sort of artistic "Moving Day" season. I consider that now is the time of year where I should consider past accomplishments and press toward the goal of greater artistic success. A time to move forward and making choices that will propel my art career into future opportunities. Ones that will provide me with for example, excellent exhibit opportunities, a unique residency, important art auctions, week-long successful festivals and even rewarding teaching opportunities in plein air workshops.
I view it as a time for me to refresh my resume', be thankful, and bring opportunities into focus for a successful 2025 year. Even though there are some of these opportunities that I may have been awarded in the past or have yet to achieve, I have decided to use this time to consider the obstacles that are keeping me back as a creative painter and to choose wisely a choice toward life, particularly in my art. First, I believe in the Sovereignty of God as a co-creator with me inspiring my art making process. That relationship is becoming more and more my best business plan.
Second, I'm not a fatalist, that is, someone who believes that events are predetermined and that people are powerless to change them. Fatalists believe that no matter what they do, the outcome will be the same. They may see life as a series of inevitable events. The term "fatalistic" is often used negatively to describe someone who gives up too easily or refuses to try to shape their own life. I believe that there are many scenarios for artists in God's plan for us all. Many adventures for us to choose from. My job as his artist is to make trajectory choices and changes in my life and through my work that will be based on faith, and that will propel my work to a prosperous outcome.
Even in this election year and over this last summer and Fall, I have done incredibly well in the sales of my paintings in several locations throughout the state. I have also received generous blessings in art supplies from unusual places as far away as California, that have opened opportunities up for my future success.
Even now, for all of us, this election it's the most important decision we may ever make in our life time. We shouldn't take it lightly and should all participate in this voting process, knowing that our choices will put our country on a clearer or uncertain trajectory of change that will cause us to move forward or backwards as a country. For me as an artist, it is an easy choice to make. But even as I see my role in it, the choices I choose to make will mean more to me than simply casting a vote for the right candidates. As an artist, it will mean making the right continual life choice for our strong creative Democracy that will be tied closely to this important season of my own "Moving Day."
May your Moving Day be brought into clear focus and bring you peace and joy for the upcoming Holidays and New Year,
Michael E. Vermette
HOLIDAY AUCTION STYLE EBAY SALE
I have begun my Holiday Auction/Sale on eBay. This is the time of year when paintings are put up for a great starting price for all to afford and participate in. Please take the time to peruse through the paintings to see if yours is included in this selection. Some were newly painted and some came back from galleries. Enjoy the viewing, and know more will be included nearly each day until I have 30 paintings available for the auction/sale that will end the 2nd week of December. The painting above,
"Katahdin After A Storm, Katahdin Lake, Maine" is a different auction hosted by the Yarmouth Art Festival that ends this week. It is a framed watercolor 25.5 x 31.5 inches with free shipping. Just click on the above link below the picture to find the auction and instructions to purchase the painting. Thank you in advance for you support!
