WCAGA DRAW 4 DAYS (Day #5): Clean up, reception, and gratitude for art community and transformation

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH DRAW 4 DAYS.  "What if" was a common question I heard asked over the past few days at the WCAGA drawing marathon. One of my neighbors in the Furhter Polycontemporary Gallery, Marie Weaver, asked me, "What if Wandjina (the character on the right here), began to change?" In response to her gentle questioning, I thought that I would like to invite some transformation into my image making once again. I must proceed with caution as my images are symbols of my psyche. Was my psyche interested in the "play" with transformation? I had done it before at other times but Wandjina always melds back into Wandjina with little variation. Hallelujah for the invitation! So this morning I nudged myself to see what might appear. (art by Hallelujah Truth)

Hallelujah for marathons with fellow artists! Hallelujah for working in close proximity with other creatives, seeing them work and hearing them talk! Hallelujah for transformations!

PACKING UP DRAW 4 DAYS

"Draw 4 Days" is winding down. Yesterday, most artists packed up their tools and media, crated tables and supplies out to cars, and bid farewell until the reception tonight at the Further Polycontemporary from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. How absolutely wonderful these shared days of drawing and painting have been! 

For some of us involved in the WCAGA drawing marathon, finishing up our images is on the agenda until 1:00. Then all drawing must stop in order to prepare for the reception! Please come and celebrate with us and see our the results of our marathoning!

As I continue to reflect on what has occurred for me in the past few days during "Draw 4 Days," I am so deeply thankful for an organization like WCAGA and the democracy of its members. We are all equals even though we have different levels of training and experience in our artmaking repertoires. There are several themes I would like to celebrate today: telling stories about our images, talking and listening to other artists, artmaking as prayer and meditation, and transformation.

PRAYER AND MEDITATION
To watch an engaged artist contemplating their work is transfixing. What are they thinking? What will they do next? Is there love present? Or the opposite...dissatisfaction? What courage it takes to progress through the unknown of creating a work! Oh to see an artist in action!

MEDITATION.  (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

PRAYERFUL WORK.  (photos by Hallelujah Truth)

CREATION STORIES CRAFTED OVER 4 DAYS
During "Draw 4 Days," I heard the crafting of several stories concerning artists' work. In my special corner of the Further Polycontemporary Gallery, I heard my neighbors repeat explanations of their work each time another artist came by to inquire or guests asked questions. As the days progressed, the stories were told with more efficiency and skill--they became even more powerful than the first time I heard them. I noticed that my own "creation story" became clearer and more confident each time I told it. Experimenting with content, I provided different explanations, edited some things out altogether, and felt happier with my oral account of my images. 

LISTENERS.  (photos by Hallelujah Truth)

There is something so essentially human about telling stories to witnesses, to being heard! Hallelujah!


TRANSFORMATION
In conclusion? Transformation has occurred in my SOUL, in my CORE, and in my community! I have connected, created, and communicated. Listening and being listened to are transformative acts! I thank all the dear sweet artists I worked and played with this past week. You have given me the gift of an extended community. Many of you have validated my experience as an artist and urged me along my path. Thank you a million times over!

TRANSFORMATION TAKING BABY STEPS. What does it mean for me to integrate my animus figure with my Hallelujah self? I don't know. But it is fun asking, "What if?"! (art by Hallelujah Truth)

TRANSFORMATION CAN BE EXHAUSTING. By day 4 of "Draw 4 Days," many of us were feeling energy challenged. Callahan Pope McDonough takes a moment to stretch out on the floor while fellow artist Jes Gordon documents the event in black paint! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)

That's Coffee with Hallelujah! SOUL BLOG with me about your art community! What have you learned or shared with one another. Have you been transformed?

GREAT EXPERIENCE. How fun to spend days making art with my buddy Callahan next to me! (photo by Loretta Paraguassu)

NEW FRIENDSHIPS FORGED. What a fun discovery it was to meet Loretta Paraguassu! I know that we have a future collaborating on something. I just know it! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)