Pittsburgh Artist Registry

I started painting and pottery when I was 17. I come from a family of artists, which at 17, is like being born into the “Munsters”. I love, writing, painting, ceramics and art but felt more compelled at that age to fit in socially …only because I did not fully appreciate the three dimensional family I was born into.  It is true, at that age you want to be everything your parents aren’t.  As I grew a little older, I seasoned  into appreciating creativity, my own ability, and grew to understand art as a lifestyle. It is more than just being creative on canvas, it is about being open to possibilities; being three dimensional in thinking/perspective and understanding, being honest and forgiving of imperfections, and mostly about being fearless in the face of "nothingness” which is the path to any creation.  I am talking about living beliefs which are translations from the world of an artist as I was taught…. it would be hard to live life peacefully without the serenity of these concepts whether they be art related or not. I am now in harmony with my urges to paint, my urges to socialize with my friends, my urges to shop etc etc etc although at times ideas roar in my head...it is like hearing voices ... painting quiets my racing imagination (as does shopping by the way!).  It’s what every artist lives with I am sure.  I can distinguish that side of myself from the side that is more practical in my daily living ...practicality is my father's influence. My mother is a left-brain right brain artist. ...I would imagine that is like being “double jointed” in her mind”.  I am like her; I am my mother’s child.  So when my imagination races to be creative, then I I cave to the urge and “binge” paint ...and when I put it aside, I know it is only in temporary hibernation…you see my mother subliminally instilled these arts concepts "in my brain" my entire life.... she gave me a working belief system and a lifestyle, the same one she practices. .I can now live with all my compulsions and urges of an artist  by turning everything in my life into somthing positive. I have made peace living in dual harmony with “the real world” and with the one I can create. It has now become my new religion so to speak. My painting style varies from minimalist to vibrant bursts of mixed media abstractness...I have not settled into one media or style. I am still young and learning but I simply like painting because it helps me releases something within myself ....and each meaning is based on emotion…from serenity to the violent moods of color. My mother believes being creative isn’t just about “art” but about the evolutionary process and ability to create opportunity in spite of adversity, so in that interpretation I appreciate everyone’s version of creative ability and understand that everyone derives the same feelings of satisfaction in spite of talent…. isn’t that really how it should be?  In saying that, my hope is the viewer enjoys my own evolution as much as I do.