Should I Answer

If you think “should I answer” is a strange blog post title, gentle reader, you would be correct! It is strange. But, there are several reasons why this headline is relevant to me this week. And, perhaps, you may find a few helpful tips here, too. But before I elaborate, I will welcome new readers here and share the purpose of this blog and post. Here goes!

Transitions

Welcome! Each year, I select a theme for my weekly paintings. This year’s theme is Transitions. I am expanding on last year’s theme. 2021’s theme was “Small Spaces Special Places“. Since we were all spending a lot of time in or close to home last year, it made sense to me to keep paintings small and simple.

Why Transitions? So many reasons. Here are one or two. I plan to transition to larger paintings this year. In fact, the first painting I posted this year was huge (for me.) It measures 8×24″…wowza. Here’s the painting and post for that week. Second, I am focusing on transitions within my painting process, too. This includes transitions from light to dark. Something I love to think about as I compose a painting. I also love to think about the negative space around an object. An example of this is the painting I shared two weeks ago called “Blowing in the Wind.”

I’m also trying some new processes that I have never done before including glazing. I’ll share more about that process once I have some results worth sharing. In the meantime, there’s lots of painting going on here.

So there you have it! The scoop on transitions as the theme for 2022.

If you are not subscribing to this blog yet and think you might enjoy a weekly dose of unique artwork with a dash of color and musings on life, sign up here. Let’s get to this week’s topic!

Why Should I Answer

Ah! Now that’s the question of the week for me. Here’s what happened. I got something that I am sure you get as well. What’s that? Annoying spam phone calls.

This one was clever. It came in from a guy who left a voicemail. And, now a days, I can see what this ‘spamster’ said. Here’s the gist of it, “Julie, you called me and didn’t leave a message. Give me a call back, ok?” I checked my recent phone call log for any accidental pocket dials. Nothing.

So, I did what you probably do. I blocked and deleted that call. Done. I did my best to let go of how annoyed I felt having my phone ring when I was in the midst of a pretty good painting flow. Something that does not always happen. GRRRRR!

Three hours later, the dog (best dog ever, that is) is barking like mad at the front door. She keeps at it and I hear a knock on the door. I walk to the door where we have a glass view of visitors. Standing there on my front porch is a total stranger, a man. He lifts his phone up and says, “Julie, you tried to call me. What’s up?”

I was mad as h-e-double-toothpick at this point. This spamster had now interrupted me twice in one day. I looked him in the eye and said, “No I didn’t. Get lost.” And I turned around to get back to work.

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

OK. I lied in that last sentence. I didn’t go back to work. Google search is more like what I did. And here’s what I learned. This leaving a message and saying “Hey (fill in your name here). You called me. Call me back” is a spam thing. Here’s the article that I found that was most helpful.

Wait Where Am I

Ok ok…you were hoping for a blog post about painting weren’t you? Hang in there gentle reader. We’re getting there. Because “Should I Answer” has SO much relevance to this week’s painting too. But before I get there, I will share what has happened since Mr Spamster chose to appear on our front porch.

First, no, I didn’t call the cops. But you can bet your sweet bippy I will if there’s a next time with this kind of experience. As I dial 911, I will ask Mr Spamster to smile as I take his photograph with my phone. Speaking of phone, I have installed an app on my phone to remove all unpleasant interruptions from spamsters. Guess what the app is called? You guessed it “Should I Answer.” Since installing it, I am delighted to report that I have worked undisturbed. Why? The app screens these calls so that I don’t even hear the phone ring. They haven’t developed an app to keep people off our front porch yet.

OK the Painting Version of Should I Answer

So I have heard more than one painter and painting instructor say “What do you think the painting wants?” So I am delighted to share that YES we should answer this question. And, lately I am working on a gazillion paintings. This means that I spend a little bit of time on a section of one painting. Then remove it and work on another painting. All the while, I am thinking, yes, of course I should answer what the painting needs. Even if it’s a little more time.

Here’s a work in progress photo of one of the paintings I’m working on. Woot!

If this painting looks like a bunch of abstract shapes to you, you’re right! That’s what it is. All paintings start off this way whether they are realistic or abstract. How cool is that, eh? I just need to pay attention so that I can answer the questions this painting is asking.

No and Yes to Should I Answer

So there you have it, gentle reader. If you get a phone call from a spamster or robo caller, just say no. Nyet! Don’t answer! But if you’re working on a painting or another creative project, heck YES you should answer any and all questions that come your way.

Speaking of which, what questions are you asking these days? I would love to hear! Please share in the comments below and thank you for reading today!