“Afloat” Image. Ceres Gallery. New York. Solo Show.
There is an expression: “walking on air.” It generally means a person is so happy, his or her feet don’t touch the ground. Or that is the way the person feels.
I had this feeling once. It lasted a few months. I could not shake it. I tried, but I continuously felt, literally, that my feet were not connected to the ground.
It was after I had been accepted into a juried exhibition in New York, where Anne Umland, Curator, Painting and Sculpture Department for the Museum of Modern Art had selected one of my pieces for New York exhibition.
I had just started painting seriously, after I had left my full time job in Advertising. I had been in the studio constantly for a few years, working. I saw the ad for this show, applied and got in.
A lot of artists work hard. I am just one of them. Even a former professor of mine said, when I complained of this euphoria, (because, believe me, it became annoying not being connected to the ground!) “Enjoy it now! It won’t last!” Thinking how harsh he was, I kept painting and working.
Nothing on that great a scale has happened since. Similar career achievements and experiences have approached it, but never again did I get that feeling.
Hollis Hildebrand-Mills 
That must have been so exciting, Hollis. First times for anything are always the best – and the most memorable.
I’m discovering how hard artists work when I visit my niece who juggles several jobs so she can start forging a career as an illustrator. She’s busy, busy, busy…
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Yes it is hard. I try so hard too. The bad part about any discipline in the arts is its capriciousness! And politics! I tend to be outspoken and I think it hurts me. I have noticed you are very diplomatic. It will serve you well (along with your talent) in this treacherous field of land mines! (How negative of me! Hate to say it, but true!) Thank you for you empathy!
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First at anything is always the most wonderful feeling, Think how astronauts must feel! Meditation gives you a floating feeling at times.
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I am so glad you are home from Down Under.I don’t see my little WordPress map light up either in New Zealand or Australia anymore. I have some pieces in Australia right now, so at first I thought it was the gallery seeking my blog out. (could be), Especially when Australia and New Zealand were lit.
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Hollis, I’ve loved the themes of your last three entries. There is something about that wall of water that evokes a sense of perseverance. We come up against walls all the time in life and we can either see the wall and run or face it with courage. Very inspiring pieces. Love the one you posted today. There is nothing quite like that feeling, but being grounded is a good feeling too. Those times are greatly encouraging, but its quite true they don’t last and even more rarely revisit us in quite the same way. I enjoy your reflections as you post your works, they always pose a thought that is good to chew on.
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Thank you so much. I did do those three blogs in my studio where I have optimum focus and attention. A lot of the time I get up in the morning, look at what comes up as “next” and just jot away.You have really good attention-paying ability to separate those three from the rest. And wisdom too. Thanks for following me! It means a lot to have someone really pay attention.
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Your art grabs my attention. Your thoughtfulness is really amazing. I love the thought and energy you infuse into your work. Keep it coming my friend!
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Thank you, said-simply! Thank you!
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You are very welcome!
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Wow, that must have been a real high. What an achievement!
It must be weird in the world of art that you are the constant, producing work to the best standard you can all the time, but how it is received and by whom is such a mystery.
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Yes you captured it! I have submitted really what I considered great work and no go! I have to factor in that my work could be shown before someone’s had lunch or when they are in a bad mood. But seriously that piece “Ethereal” I submitted that time was truly sound. And that made my “off the ground ” feeling that much more intense. Thanks for your usual good insight.And be cause it wasn’t that long ago, I keep looking around the corner for something equally as exciting!
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Best of luck – you really deserve it.
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Thank you. Aim high. It will shake down to where you are supposed to be.Thank you!
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Or does one? propose that college students should “stop believing” in it and stop gonna school or
hearing their teachers? They boycott their own schooling
in a time when even college graduates can’t discover a task, significantly significantly
less someone with out a high school diploma?
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