I took my 1st art lesson when I was 10 years old. Now, over 50 years have passed, and I’m still at it. Most artists will say that that’s the way it is. We paint, we draw, we sculpt, etch, design. If we’re musicians, we need to make music; writers have to write; and so on… Something is not quite right if we don’t do it for ‘awhile‘.
Once ‘awhile’ becomes too long, I start to feel ‘off’. Like I’m not breathing fully…not BEING fully. It’s curious, but it’s real enough.
This ‘awhile’ just happened again. … I decided to pick a print to work into and started to draw. It felt so good.
Of course, I overdid what I was doing and chose to wipe it all off. Then I got acrylic white all over my beautiful dark table; my cat decided to sit on my print & spread out all over it, leaving her black silky hair all over the paper.
So I wiped off her hair; the white paint off the dark wood, & put the artwork back into the flat file. Knowing I’m way too tired to do anything but sleep, I didn’t start anything new. It’s time for bed.
But it just feels right…to be breathing/being again.
Detail of ‘Asherah Comes Forth…’ oil on canvas
a work in progress
Summer is officially here, & this is good. Here in Gloucester, this means tourists, traffic, and lots of fun happenings. I grew up on the New Jersey Shore, [really!], and so I came to Gloucester already used to the tourists and the traffic and the summer fun.
But Cape Ann is different. People come, not only for the beach, good food & music, but also & very much for whale watching, theater, shopping on Rocky and Bearskin Necks, and the abundant art! And though, for this Jersey girl, nothing beats thin crust pizza and new york/new jersey bagels, I wouldn’t choose to give up the magical aura of the myths that permeate this amazing and beautiful place that I have made my home for over 30 years.
I walk the beaches and feel the presence of the spirits who have walked these same beaches throughout times past; fishermen, strong women, writers, artists, & native peoples, who feel the depths of the sacred power here, in the land, the stones and the waters.
I do believe that this is why we are drawn here…and to the light. We have an abundance of healers of all disciplines, who make Cape Ann their home. And spiritually, you will find communities of all paths ~ eastern, western ~ all here, all one.
So…all this being said… I am off to start my day…photograph some new art work, blend some oils for my skin-care practice, do some gardening & work on my new painting… I wonder how much of this I’ll actually accomplish today?
Doesn’t matter…it’s summer! and in Gloucester… think I’ll go walk the beach & take in some magic.
March comes tomorrow. This means that we have almost made it through a very challenging winter. Pretty amazing, especially since it seemed as if January might be the month that was never going to end.
Last week I pulled out my etching press, [it’s on wheels]. I pulled what I believe will be 2 ‘Abundance Goddesses’. Then 2 larger prints of Demeter and Persephone. (I won’t post them till they are finished.) I draw into my prints with technical pens and colored pencils to pull out the forms. Usually I wait to see what evolves before I determine what or who they are…but I had an agenda with these. Yes, I chose to create affirmations [for myself], of the coming spring. WHATEVER I CAN DO TO HELP MOVE THE WINTER INTO THE PAST! I’m excited to work them up; to immerse myself in HOPE, line and color. And for Mother Demeter to welcome her daughter, Persephone’s return from the underworld, into the light of day; bringing flowers into blossom and the sweet, warm scents of spring.
“Beloved”
“You are my ‘Beloved’, my soul’s reflection. With you I am whole. The heavens willed it, for it was written in the stars that we were to be together. I recognized you with the power of the first glance we shared.
Now you are here, we are together, and I am home.”
-Baraka Robin Berger
10″ x 13″ oil on German Etching paper limited edition of 338; hand-signed & numbered by the artist. — $88
16″ x 20″ oil on canvas limited edition of 88; interference gold and silver auras hand-marked, hand-signed & numbered by the artist. — $338
‘Paradigm Shifts’ ~ Monotype, mixed media www.barakarobinberger.com
‘I hold the belief that if we simply surround ourselves with beauty, we will learn to expect it. Out of this expectation we will turn around and create more beauty. What’s possible is this: The world will become a magnificent place.” B.R.B.
I have writer’s block. Kind of funny, since I’m not a writer. I post this blog to share my art, news of exhibits & publications, my philosophy re: art as a healing force, and anything that I may be excited about. But I haven’t had any inspiration to write lately.
I look outside and almost everything is white and getting whiter. I look around me at home, and the colors of my walls and my art are all the more brilliant and noticeable to me, because of the white outdoors.
I work at a salon in Gloucester doing skin-care. It’s slow. Too much snow. No one wants to leave home and the parking places are few and far between.
I want to paint, but I have too much paper work to do…and the white outside is not inspiring me either. Funny how when it’s beautiful out I feel most inspired to paint..when it’s cold and white, a great time to stay in and make art, I’m not as inspired… So if I finish my paperwork this week…I will find a way to be inspired next week. And I will…because I’m just about at that point..the point at which I JUST HAVE TO PAINT or draw or print…because I just have to. It’s what happens.
So this is what I wrote about…and I have also decided, during this time of writing, that I’m going to post a piece of art every day or 2… To bring some more color in this snow white winter world, to whomever may be reading my blog. I do it on my facebook page…so I may as well do it on my blog. After all, at this rate, there is soo much snow on the ground, that it may just be white through April.
Just a quick update: My exhibit at the Art of Alchemy Gallery Has been extended till January 10th, 2010. If you haven’t had a chance to see it, here’s an opportunity.
10% of any and all sales will be donated to the Gloucester Educational Foundation.
Also, in the light of PR, because of this show, I was interviewed by Good Morning Gloucester’s very own, Joey Ciaramitaro, and the video was posted on December 23rd. That was the same day that the Gloucester Daily Times posted the article in the arts section written by Gail McCarthy. You may still find them on their websites.
So I wish you all a very happy new year! I pray that we all know peace, love and tolerance in 2011, and that our beloved planet, all of her creatures, and humanity flourish in the light and love of spirit.
I’m thrilled to have my work featured in Faeries and Angels Magazine . Winter 2010 Edition. Check it out..[see the link] I await my copies in the mail, but was able to see a preview on their website.
It’s been an exciting & busy time for me, as my work was also published in the New Art Review Angels & Goddesses book; my show at The Art of Alchemy Gallery; & 3 Holiday Open Studio Sales.. & best of all, having my daughter home for the holidays!
With the new year around the corner, I’m looking forward to quiet time & making new art again.. using the energy from these past few months as inspiration..
Happy Holidays to Everyone & Light for our beautiful Gaia as the solstice comes upon us. Peace.
Baraka's Blog 