Give your Idea Context, and People will Get it

"Self-Portrait" 11 x 14 Pastel on paper, textured

Nir Eyal the author of “Hooked” How to Build Habit-forming Products discussed the importance of putting things in context. He tells the story of world-class violinist Joshua Bell who decided to play a free impromptu concert in the Washington D.C. Subway Station.

If you’ve ever bumped into someone and you know you’ve seen them before, but you can’t remember where, this is what Bell was up against. Bell regularly sells out venues in Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall for $100 per ticket. But in the D.C. subway, he was someone people may or may not have known, and he was playing out of context.

Joshua Bell’s incredible music fell on deaf ears. In the eyes of passersby with a built-in agenda and time constraints to catch a subway, he was no better nor worse than the fiddle players who leave a hat or a violin case on the ground for gratuities of pity or generosity. Almost nobody knew they were walking past one of the most talented musicians in the world.

Eyal excuses the people by saying: “The mind takes shortcuts informed by our surroundings to make quick and sometimes erroneous judgments.”

That’s why when you have something important to say, or you want to make an impact with your product or artwork, put yourself and your image in context. Each painting tells a story. A poor composition will lead people on to another painting, your article won't be read, and your product may not be sold if they are not relevant to participants.

Exposure is good. Many remarkable musicians and artists do free concerts in the park, or show their artwork for a good cause. Tell your story in pictures, in dance, and in words. Tell your audience what you’re going to talk about or do, show them later in action, and then summarize what you’ve shown them or told them about.

Put your life and your words in context. Make it relevant by drawing your viewers (or listeners) into your story and by giving them a reason to get involved. Think of audience interaction as a circle. The venue, the excitement starts with you. The story or the heart of your composition takes people and leads them through your scene. When participants complete their journey, you are waiting for them again to thank them for coming and inviting them to return.

The circle signifies completion. Not all roads lead to Rome as in the past, but the experience will leave a positive impression that may lead to future sales. As Joshua Bell discovered, it’s better to put your work in context (the proper setting) than to take people by surprise in a strange environment.

Of course, if you’re a complete unknown, entertaining people in a receptive corner of your world may be advantageous. Just be sure that your “debut” doesn’t get trumped by too many distractions.

"Baby Elephant" Palm Frond Mask from Queen Palm

The before is below. I was sure I could see a baby elephant in this woody find of nature.

As we sow, so shall we reap to enjoy the Fruits of our Labor

When a seedling is planted, it sends its roots deep into the soil not only for nourishment and moisture, but for strength. The hidden roothold acts as an anchor to secure the young plant as it sends new shoots skyward. Without roots, a tree would topple. The rootage underground is usually as wide as the upper foliage.

During violent storms, a tree may still fall if its strength is surface deep either from too much above ground watering, or from layers of sand, clay or rock below.

How deep do your roots go? Are they scrawny and weak from too much surface ease and lack of effort? Have you nourished your foundation with study, practice and knowledge or did you skim over the top and hope for the best? True success is a result of how strong and how deep your convictions and passions go.

The same is true of faith. Weak faith (hope) is easily toppled by the storms of life. Lack of knowledge is usually “found out” under duress. Plagiarism can fool others once or twice; but if you’re caught, your career is usually over.

Alex Haley wrote a wonderful book called “Roots” that resonated with the American people and still does today. But many scholars, including black researchers and learned professionals believe it was more a book of fiction than of truth, and that Haley sought to change the historical accuracy about slavery.

The practice of slavery goes way back to ancient times. Both blacks and whites were once slaves in many cultures and countries. The African Continent enslaved other blacks that had different tribal connections and sold them into slavery. The owners were both white and black.

(Whether it's true about Haley or not, I was enchanted
by the book and television series!)

Haley’s book was moving and entertaining, but it does not pass the sniff test where history is concerned. The fury and the passion that surrounded the books and plays that Haley’s work inspired is beginning to fade.

Roots that go deep and are anchored in truth outlast the test of time. They withstand hearsay, tribulation, scoffing and popular opinion. Their branches go deep and keep the underpinnings from wavering. Character becomes resolute and authenticity an unchanging reality. Confidence increases. Gifts are mastered and used in positive ways. True success is a natural outgrowth and never becomes top heavy or ego inflated. 

Like a tree that is solid and grounded, there is balance and equanimity. People flock to it for shelter and protection. They bask in its beauty and serenity; this my friends is the maturity of the true artist. They do not need to flaunt their achievements. Their accomplishments speak for themselves. First they reap, and then they sow; and the fruits of their labor testify of their success.

"A Joyful Heart" 11 x 14 pastel drawing; Prints available @ http://carol-allen-anfinsen.artistwebsites.com

My Favorite American Beauties Re-Captured

Long ago, I purchased a book that has cheered me up, inspired me, and given me some goals to aspire to. The title: “American Beauties; Women in Art and Literature” with photos of paintings and artwork from the National Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian Institution, Edited by Charles Sullivan.

I wish I could share the entire book with you. Works of art are matched with literary selections which make the viewing of the piece more interesting and complete. The purpose of this collection is to illustrate beauty “broadly defined” of American women.

“The Girl I Left Behind Me” was painted by Eastman Johnson sometime in 1870-75. It is an oil on a 42x347/8 canvas. The painting was illustrated with an anonymous song by the same name.  Energy is created by the wind and the ocean where wave’s crash and tumultuous skies roll past the young girl who is standing on a cliff longing for her lost love.

The next painting by Theodore Robinson 1887 is called “At the Piano; oil on 16.5x25.25 canvas. It is paired on the page with a poem called “The Day is Done” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

…”Who through long days of labor, and nights devoid of ease, still heard in his soul the music of wonderful melodies. Such songs have power to quiet the restless pulse of care, and come like the benediction that follows after prayer. . . And the night shall be filled with music, and the cares that infest the day, shall fold their tents like the Arabs, and as silently steal away.”

No artist can compare to John Singer Sargent for the painting of portraits. Here is Elizabeth Winthrop Chapman following her marriage in 1898. The porcelain skin color of the period and the expectations for women to be delicate and refined are captured here.

Harry Siddons Mowbray’s painting “Idle Hours, 1885” Oil on 12x16 canvas portrays women as having too much time on their hands. Ezra Pound’s poem “An Immortality” is used as illustration:

“Sing we for love and idleness, Naught else is worth the having. Though I have been in many a land, There is naught else in living. And I would rather have my sweet, Though rose-leaves die of grieving, Than do high deeds in Hungary to pass all men’s believing.”

The women in the painting would probably flutter and faint seeing today’s women “bring home the bacon,” “cook the bacon” all while pleasing a husband and taking care of the children, the laundry, and the home. They never dreamed of “role reversal” or men who would be willing to share the responsibilities.

Mary Cassatt is one of my favorite artists. Her “Sara in a Green Bonnet” 1901, oil on 16x13.5/8 canvas captures the impish smile of the mischievous girl behind all that frippery.

Lara Wheeler Waring’s portrait of “Anna Washington” who was most likely “hired help” in 1927 is an oil on 20x16 canvas. The poem “Old Mary” by Gwendolyn Brooks was used in illustration:

“My last defense is the present tense. It little hurts me now to know I shall not go Cathedral-hunting in Spain nor cherrying in Michigan or Maine.”

The painting captures the look of resignation and longing in Anna Washington’s face. We feel for her. We want to wrap our arms around her and comfort her.

My own pastel painting "Tansy's Pride" shows a more confident woman who is not only self assured, but comfortable in her own skin. Prints are available for purchase at http://carol-allen-anfinsen.artistwebsites.com