Life of Plenty

My mother, having grown up on a farm, has always appreciated the benefits of growing one's own food. I had the benefit of growing up with a garden most of my life. After moving to New York City and afterward to Cincinnati I gave up gardening for the pursuit of a career or some sort. And, though I missed gardening, I hadn't realized how much until I had the opportunity to tend to my mother's backyard garden. The picture above is just a small example of what was available just several yards from the back door.

It called to mind the days when I tended my own garden back in Vermont. Most of my gardening was restricted to containers, but the satisfaction of having fresh herbs and vegetables close at hand could not be matched by anything purchased at the local grocery. I don't know why I thought I had to give up growing after I moved from Vermont, perhaps, I thought I had to find a completely new life in the big city. Or, perhaps I just got caught up in the hustle and frenetic pace of living an urban life.

Vermont Garden Harvest, watercolor, 1997

What I find interesting is that as I devote more and more of life to my art, the more I find myself returning to the life I thought I was meant to get away from. I find myself slowing down, taking time to appreciate things, and taking less for granted. This life I live, this devotion to art, is not easy. But, when I look back at my life without art, at the lives of my friends, of the people around the world, I see that no one's life is easy. I think finding an easy life is not the answer to finding a life that is content. Because, even though I find the challenges to devoting my life to art daunting and the most difficult of my life, I also find that I feel the richest and most blessed than I ever have. Contentment is within my reach, I still have some work to do, but I am confident that if I continue to cultivate and nurture my artistic path, that I will have grown my own contentment, just as I grew my own vegetables in the smallest of spaces.

I recently came across an old painting I did, back in Vermont. It was a watercolor of the first peppers and tomatoes that I grew on my own. This painting is now a symbol for me of my ability to grow my own plenty. We all have this ability. Some of us have to pay attention to where we are already cultivating our life. Others might need to get those pots out and stick their hands in the dirt. It is not too late.

DoAn
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DoAn Art is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of DoAn Art must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. 


All artwork and text © Copyright 2005-2011 DoAn Art (Antony Galbraith) unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Antony Galbraith.

New Work Coming Soon

Now that I have moved and I am about half-way unpacked, I am eager to be starting work on some new pieces. I have some projects lined up that I am excited about, so I hope you will bear with me during this time of adjustment into my new space. I will share my progress as it unfolds.

DoAn
Subscribe in a reader



DoAn Art is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of DoAn Art must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. 


All artwork and text © Copyright 2005-2011 DoAn Art (Antony Galbraith) unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without the express written consent by Antony Galbraith.

Help Stop Copyright Infringement

I recently discovered that images of my art as well as images of artwork of several artists I know are appearing all over the internet. These images are being used without permission and almost always uncredited. I have seen them on MySpace, Photobucket, Facebook, and elsewhere. The number of images being used without permission is staggering.

Every image that I (as well as other artists) post on my site are copyrighted and owned by me. Therefore, it is illegal for anyone to use images from the internet (or anywhere for that matter) without getting permission in writing from the owner of the image. I have written to a few people who have used images without permission and they were very apologetic and promptly removed the images. They didn't realize it was illegal to use the images without permission. This is a problem that needs to be addressed. As I am trying to build a career with my art, it becomes counter-productive if I have to chase after people who are using my work. Yet, I still need to post my images in order for to see my work. It becomes a frustrating situation.

Here is where I need your help. If you ever come across an image of mine on a website please contact me. (If you see this happen with other artists let them know too.) The more eyes that are out there spotting the illegal use of copyrighted images the better chance I have of keeping this problem to a minimum. Also watch out for sites like Photobucket, Flickr, or Polyvore that indirectly or directly (in some cases) encourage the illegal use of copyrighted images.

It may seem like a compliment for others to post my images on their MySpace page or on their website, and it is in many ways. It is great that they like my work enough to want to use it. I am very likely to give permission for someone to use an image of my work if the person agrees to give proper credit. What they don't realize is that using an image without permission can harm me in the end.

I put many hours, sometimes weeks to complete a painting. I depend on the sale of m work to help pay for my medical bills, my health insurance, the cost of supplies, the rent, etc. Having images spread out throughout the internet without permission or credit to my name has the potential of a lost sale. It could, in some cases, dissolve a sale, if, for example, there is a pending license or contract. A lost sale means lost income, and that means it is that much harder to live.

I hope that one day all this notion of copyright and possession is no longer an issue. I am much more interested in painting and contributing to the world in a positive way. Unfortunately, until this problem gets better or we all find a way to survive without the need for money exchange, this will need to be addressed. (I am working on latter part actually...I'll share my thoughts in a later post.)

I appreciate your help and attention in this very serious matter.

DoAn



DoAn Art is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of DoAn Art must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. 

Social Obstacles to Change

As I make plans and prepare for a major change in lifestyle, I have been looking into ways other people are trying to live a sustainable, and quality-focused life.
Colin Beavan, "No Impact Man", posted on his blog about how a policeman informed him and his daughter that it was illegal for them to fly a kite in the park. You can read about his experience here: Social Obstacles to Change

On other blogs I have heard about towns where police give tickets to pedestrians for crossing the street before the signal changes or if they walk ON or just outside the white crosswalk lines. Motorists who stopped on the side of the road to pick people up or drop them off were also given tickets for obscuring traffic.

When I lived in New York City, there was a group of bicyclists from Critical Mass that gathered, usually on a certain Friday of the month (I could never figure out which Friday)and rode throughout Manhattan. They try to raise awareness of our over-dependence on cars in the city and other local environmental issues. I always was thrilled to see the huge number of bicyclists, it was like a parade on two wheels!

Unfortunately, there was an incident on their last ride, where a policeman allegedly was struck by a bicyclist. However, one of the bystanders happened to catch the incident on video, and it looks pretty clear to me that the policeman intentionally struck the bicyclist. There has long been antagonism between Critical Mass and the police. What I noticed in the video below is that the spectators are smiling. I remember finding the event interesting and somewhat exhilarating. Why is a peaceful demonstration (they bicyclists don't shout, disrupt the neighborhood and they follow traffic signals)like this such a threat?

Colin Beavan writes on his blog,

"Whether you're choosing to fly a kite instead of eating McDonalds in front of the TV or protesting bad air in the city by riding your bike, there are huge institutional obstacles to environmental change. They are of a type that is more invidious than, say, the fact that companies use too much packaging.

I mention this just because I think it's important to acknowledge. Because it's part of the challenge. And because it makes me incredibly sad."

It is not an easy path. But, I have never been very content with the easy way. I think overcoming challenges helps to shape us into strong, resilient and self-aware people. Of course, having some support along the way is welcome too. Think about those activities that we have allowed the "Institution" (whether it is government, big business, or social convention) to decide for us what is best? Let's start addressing them, so we can all share a future that is healthy and balanced for all living beings. If you are not sure how to address them or how to choose, then help support someone or a group that is already doing the work. Everyone can do a little something. It is when someone does nothing that we run into problems.

DoAn



DoAn Art is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of DoAn Art must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. 

Emerging Visions #12-- Jung @ Heart

Emerging Visions, an e-zine for visionary art, edited by Laurie Corzett, has posted issue #12 titled Jung @ Heart. I am happy to announce that my painting, Boann: Transformation of a Goddess, was selected to illustrate the issue. Please take a moment to check out the poetry, essays, flash fiction and visual art by the other talented artists and writers.

Prints and greeting cards of Boann are available at FineArtAmerica

DoAn

PS: I am still collecting donations, which will go toward attending the residency at Vermont Studio Center in November. I greatly appreciate any support you can offer! Please click the image below:



DoAn Art is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of DoAn Art must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. 

Vermont Studio Center Residency

I have been accepted into the Vermont Studio Center for a four week residency starting in November!

The Vermont Studio Center hosts 50 artists and writers who participate each month in 4 to 12 week independent studio Residencies. VSC Residents represent a mix of mediums, cultures, experience, and ages, for a diverse and vibrant community.

The VSC hosts 600 resident artists and writers from around the world, and 72 visiting artists and writers each year. During the 4 week residency I will have a private studio space to work in where I can focus on producing work without the usual daily distractions. I will also have access to a community of artists and writers to share work and ideas.

This is a tremendous opportunity for me. While at the residency, I will be working on paintings that explore our relationship to nature and spirit. I will have the time to devote myself completely to producing work, which will in turn help me contribute work for the good of society. In addition, I will have the chance to meet other established and emerging artists.

I was awarded a partial grant from VSC to help cover some of the costs. I need to come up with $1500 to cover the remaining of the expenses. I would appreciate any donations in any amount that you are willing to give to help me attend this residency. In return, you will be making a great contribution toward the future development of art for the betterment of society. You can donate by clicking on the logo:



DoAn Art is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of DoAn Art must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. 


I greatly appreciate any support you can offer!

DoAn

A Life Condensed

Now that I have closed and packed up my studio in Cincinnati, I am focused on downsizing the rest of my belongings. To keep my moving cost down and to fulfill my wish of living lightly, I have marked a block in blue tape that is about nine feet long and six feet wide and six feet high. I must fit all my belongings into this space. Whatever doesn't fit must go.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn, that after I had packed all but my kitchen stuff, I had only filled half the allotted space. I was not surprised to learn that the majority of my belongings are my art supplies! My paintings alone will probably fill up the remaining half of the moving truck.

You may be wondering, why am I restricting myself so? Well, with this move, comes a major change in my lifestyle. I believe it will be easier to start this change by severely reducing what I own and letting go of things that I don't need. My lifestyle change will focus on healthy living, non-consumerism, environmental sustainability, and quality living. I will be, in many ways, rebuilding my life from the ground up.

Since my studio is packed up, and my ability to create art is severely restricted during this transition time, I will share my thoughts and plans for this restructuring until I get my studio set up and I am back to work on my art again. I would like to share a link to an essay that I really enjoyed. The essay deals with the issue of living a non-consumer, higher quality of living lifestyle in the midst of a consumer, quantity driven society. It is written by Colin Beavan who is also known as No Impact Man. Colin and his family lived one year in Manhattan, maintaining a low to no impact lifestyle, and now he shares his experience and ideas for how to live more responsibly in the world. Please check his essay and the rest of his website out:

No Impact Man: "From Work and Spend to Work and, Well, More Work"

DoAn