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Robert D Cameron's avatar

Very much on point. No answers come to mind from here at the bottom of the ever growing heap. ❤️

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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

Yes, trying to come up for air gets tougher each day. But I am finding that taking frequent breaks from the noise gives me some space to breathe normally.

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The Chaos Trials's avatar

Nice work!

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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

Thank you. And I appreciate the restack!

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John Swanson's avatar

Hi Michelle - I have a question. Would you continue to paint if you had no market or stopped marketing your work altogether? Would your paintings change do you think? Would your motivations change? Just curious.

I hope you’re enjoying your life in Oregon. I have to admit to being a little jealous.

Best regards,

John

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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

Great to hear from you and great questions. Right now I have the gallery in Bend and one in Astoria, OR where my work is always displayed. Plus I show through several arts organizations. So those avenues keep me painting for display purposes. But I paint what I want, not what is popular (which I've always done). And that is because painting for me is not about selling, it is about revealing what needs to come to the surface. It is what levels me in this chaotic world, just as writing does. Selling and displaying my work is secondary. But then, as an educator, I would like people to connect to my work because it's different, it's thought-provoking, and it gets people out of their comfortable "traditional realism" bubble.

I have an excellent website, which is where I would like viewers to end up. So in order to get traffic to the website and get new subscribers, social media is the vehicle in which to do that. Thus the conundrum I and many others face in the creative realm.

My work will evolve with me (as it has always done) and not because of anything I do or don't do with social media. I am more deliberate in my process, feeling less compelled to create so many works. Plus I am beginning to minimize my studio by using up materials I have as opposed to buying more supplies. It's a great challenge I am having fun with.

Thanks so much for reading and asking the questions.

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Feb 23, 2024
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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

It's difficult for the general public to understand the mind of an artist and the fact that many of us will create no matter what and, yes, sometimes just for ourselves. It is too much of an abstract concept for most to grasp. Thank you for responding in such an honest and eloquent way. Carry on my friend.

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Feb 24, 2024
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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

I prefer not to imagine. But I do believe that there are those who do not see any kind of art in their lives, thus their existence is indeed a dark place.

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