My vision for AEDM 2011

Two years ago was my first Art Every Day Month where I started creating the artwork for a project called Exploring New Options. At the time, my company VisualsSpeak only used my photography to spark insights and conversations, and the tools were all printed sets of images. I had a sense that I could get deeper insights and more emotion if I added artwork to the tools.

I continued to paint for the project in 2010 while testing the processes and image combinations. We decided to develop an online tool, which was a whole other level of development. This year the online tool, the ImageCenter became available, and so far I have developed six decks of images for use in the web tool:

• Exploring Health
• Exploring Money
• Exploring My Options
• Exploring New Options
• Exploring Passion
• Exploring Relationships

What is my vision for this month?

I spend most of my time just doing the day to day operations that need to get done to keep the business operating. I struggle to make time to create, although at this point it is a daily practice for the most part. Just not always the kind of art I want to be making, often it’s what needs to get done.  I’ve been mulling over various things I could do for the month, but nothing has seemed totally right yet.

I can use my own tools, imagine that?

Recently, we created a free self guided process on our online tool to help people get a vision for their work. I used it to create the image above (with the words added afterwards for this post.) I worked quickly to get beyond my thinking mind, to see what else I could uncover about what is important to me.

First impressions

It was fairly easy to say what the images meant, and to make the list next to the images. Some of it is obvious, like making tools for the journey. I was surprised to see the mask and invisible image. Haven’t I gotten over that yet? Or will that always be part of my story as an artist? Maybe this is calling for me to redefine it off and find a new way to relate to my work.

I was surprised to see the images of the tools showing up as the only photographs,even though my newest work incorporate the paintings. I have the sense this image will continue to offer me insights over time. I can feel tension in my heart as I look it over, always a sign it has more to say.

What am I curious about?

Reflecting more on what I created leaves me with these questions to explore next:

• How can I deepen my feeling of authenticity and visibility as an artist?
• How can I deepen the sense of the journey in the tools I create?
• How does the pathway between what is today and what we desire form?

Want to try out the visioning process for yourself?

If you’d like to explore the vision for your work for free on our ImageCenter, you can sign up below. Or get more information about it here.