Sharing the Bounty

'Urban Landscape, (my favorite neighbors)' 20x24" graphite; Kathleen Faulkner

I leave the apples on the ground

because, each morning, momma and baby

show up looking for their breakfast.

Later, the squirrels and other critters

clean up the leftovers. 

Variants

'Variant' 22x15" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

I have a new appreciation for my own small spot in the world.

I see things now that, before, were invisible

only because I didn't look. 

speaking of March

'Vignette II, 30x22" pencil drawing;
Kathleen Faulkner


Here we go.
Back in lockdown again.
 
I have explored my yard like never before
this year. 
I'm drawing what I see  
in my tiny bubble.
  

 

first aid for a worried soul

'Art Pals' 22x30" graphite on paper;  Kathleen Faulkner

'Helpful Friends' 22x30" graphite on paper, in progress;  

Kathleen Faulkner

'Helpful Friends II' 22x30" graphite on paper, in progress;

Kathleen Faulkner

It has been a tough year.

Because of COVID, I am unable to be with my friends

so I decided to draw them.

Seeing them looking back at me gives me comfort 

and knowing they are all wearing masks out in that cold, cruel world 

gives me hope that I will see them again, 

in person, 

sometime in the future.

'Self Portrait: Mirror Image'

Kathleen Faulkner

 

Quality of life

'Every Dark Cloud' Shadowbox 12x10" brooches: sterling silver, graphite,

colored pencil, mica; photograph, wood, plastic; Kathleen Faulkner

Sometimes I wonder if we'll make it.  Mother has cancer, we are losing whole species everyday and there's a lot of fear and hate out there.  

Struggle, strife.. everyone I know is struggling.  The artists really have it tough.  You can't eat art.  There  is no barter system to pay for health insurance or the electric bill.  Some days it seems overwhelming.

It is a time when one has to decide on priorities. There's a fork in the road.  One path is smoother, easier,  the other path may not go all the way through and the terrain is steep and rocky.  The smooth path has it's downfalls, though.  Younger is better, college degrees help, and, of course, a stable partner.. still, it's not a given. The rough path really asks nothing except to be true to oneself. Older can be better, degrees don't matter but passion is a must. The rough path has absolutely no guarantees and it's steep terrain is dangerous. It is a precarious yet intensely inspiring path,  if you make it.

My silver lining is called freedom: the independence and the joy in doing what I do.  I'm not talking about Apple Pie here.  This isn't an American Dream,  far from it.  I have chosen the steep and rocky path  and it's hard and I get worried and wonder if I'll end up falling off the cliff but, I wouldn't have it any other way.  On my death bed I will not be filled with regret.  

Digital photo; Kathleen Faulkner

'I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living'  Robert Henri