Cassandra Barney

Artwork by: Dan Barney

I think one's art goes as far and as deep as one's love goes. I see no reason for painting but that. If I have anything to offer, it is my emotional contact with the place where I live and the people I do -Andrew Wyeth

I found this quote on a blog by another artist. I don't remember how I got to her site but I've been impressed with her thoughtful writings. Her artwork is interesting to me too because style wise, I could have gone more in that direction. I've been doing a lot of assessing of the manner in which I manifest my ideas and trying to trace where that came from.

The above artwork is by Dan Barney. Sometimes I'll see something he's done and I'll be shocked by his skills. He seems to be one of those people who magically is good at everything, but living with him I know that not only does he have heaps of natural abilities, he also works hard...and from his heart.

When I step back I can see that he has influenced not just my life in general, but my artwork as well. The above quote suits him. Dan works and creates for whom he loves and at the same depth that he loves. His artwork isn't a selfish act, it's a manifestation of something else. He gives. Most of his artwork doesn't even have his name on it. Sometimes I feel foolish, thinking that my bold quest for meaning over the last few years has only taught me what other people seem to already know. The only positive part of that is that sometimes the harder a person works for something, the more it means to them.

As I strive for qualities that have only become important to me with age and experience, I admire people who reach outside of themselves, giving out of love as opposed to creating for other reasons.

I'm still struggling with the paintings I'm working on. Transitions can be awkward. I am grateful to have good influences around me, I have not only my Dan but my dad as well. I admire that each piece has thought and time and meaning put into it with the utmost integrity. In his studio are a couple of paintings about death. It's interesting to try to see life through his work. He teaches and shares with his work.

I'm calling on the powers of the Minervas this week to do some good painting. I love my job.