I took this painting out of storage because it had stripes. That’s what I’m working on now.  Every day I try to get the lines cleaner and sharper.  Early paintings in my Stripes Forever series are now being reworked to achieve clarity and boldness.  I’m not tolerating good; I want it great.  It’s a competition with my former self.

Every day I’m coming out of storage and have a change to go beyond good.  I think that’s the message I keep coming back to with this pandemic and now the protests/riots/voice/breath.

Time to take my beliefs out of storage too.  Hold them up to a new reality being crafted right now.  Just like this big painting:

What’s going on?

Being an avid reader it’s prime time to dig into the work of James Baldwin.  He has been on my list for a long time and as the tune goes, now is the time.  Or, Giant Steps for you jazz fans.

I started by reading this article from the Paris Review- James Baldwin, The Art of Fiction No. 78.   Hefty powerful words.  I’m hooked.  One of my favorite lines:

Talent is insignificant. I know a lot of talented ruins. Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but, most of all, endurance.

I’m seeing many reading lists being shared around the internet.  Extraordinary words to be read.  I’m reading with beginner’s mind and for now I want to dig deep into one voice.

James Baldwin will keep me busy for the summer.

XOXO,

Francesca