Conversation with Georgia O'Keefe

Imaginary time talking with Georgia O'Keefe

LC: Hello, Ms. O'Keefe, I'm happy to have this time with you. I feel very inspired by you. You never knew while you were painting, if your work would be well received or not. You continued to paint for yourself and it gave you a place to go to everyday, to be creative and inspired, is that correct?

GOK: Thank you for your kinds words, I always loved color and beauty. When I dreamt I saw colors vividly and felt the opening to caress the paper as I put the paint brush to it.

With the surrounding nature's beauty, I was able to feel surges of creativity and also "felt" a muse of delight accompanied me daily even on the days I had no desire to paint.

There were many people that highly criticized my work. They felt I was being over the top, too sexual, when all along I knew sensual would help open the minds of humanity. I painted because there was a need. I enjoyed showing my work but as a highly private person, I became less and less involved with the world around me. My paintings healed me and now, as it turns out, my body of work now heals worldwide.

Did I ever think I would receive the accolades and reception I would be bestowed? No, I did not care for the fancy fare of awards or luncheons or shows. I only wanted to keep to myself. It was the people around me that placed my work and created visibility. I took no graces a others words and continued to do just what I needed, wanted and desired to do.

My advice to you is to keep going. As you transition in life with all its stages, you will notice all the different phases and phrases your paintings with go through. Whether you paint to sell or sell to paint, you must come to some realization hat you are painting for you, your own growth, for your own healing. Notice in my paintings the palette, I was too contained. You are here to do more. Unleash all that you have inside of you. Dare to be great. Dare to be different. Once you become aware of your magic in not knowing what you are doing while you paint, the gift is already drying.

Give some thought to why you paint and do it anyway. Eventually it comes together, the chapters of untold stories, through your art.

Keep going and know this is all for you. Remember the muse of delight and let her live inside of you and in the water you use to paint with.

Pride lives in your heart forever. Mine does. I couldn't say those words when I painted and surely can say them now.