KarenLorenaParker.com Art Blog

“You couldn’t just pick up a pack of cigarettes and smoke the whole thing. If smoking is not a habit, you couldn’t even finish one. You can stop eating bread, chocolate, with discipline. You break the habit. Just look at it and say, ‘I’m not going to eat you!’” I leave the gym with one friend and meet another. “It gets easier. The success of diet, fitness is consistent habits.”

Creative and strategies overflowing, Mubarik (from the inspiring boutique agency Ink.ae) and I are onto the subject of new campaigns at the end of a recession. In a time for companies to be leaders, how many take advantage of clients hungry for fresh outlooks?

Dubai is learning the concept of mid range. Seems you are only a big fish or little fish in the desert— twist-tied in a 6000dhs Gucci bag, or the 60dhs copy. Emerging artists are taking the opportunity to prove otherwise.

The JamJar, provides opportunity for arts culture. Curator Beth Carruthers from BC Canada, inspired Green Vision artists in Residence. Introducing sustainability in art, art and architecture.

The first Thursday of every month “Sketch” (hosted by FN Design) is an evening of live sketching, that “offers the local arts community a place to congregate, talk, create and be seen” It is exceptional to Jam Jar as an approachable place of culture in a city like Dubai. “Some consider this their first experience of an art gallery.”

Back in my studio, years of painting habits are ready to pounce. Switching from Artist as Employee, Artist as Genius and Artist as Brand. Inspire Dubai and exhale, I maintain the energy flow ? as I put into practice ‘Gathering and Presenting.’ Living as much as I can in the moment, and taking those minute opportunities to practice good habits.

Artist as Employee
Painting is like any profession in the way of habits. If you don’t put in the time, the work, the effort, the research; the product of excellence and originality will not exist. Without effective gathering there is no exceptional presentation. The days you don’t want to go to work you rely on the routine, the cup of coffee, the drive. The chores of organizing and tidying up your studio “office”. Doing a critique of your work, uploading images on your website. Even if you don’t ‘feel’ creative, you arrive.

Malcolm Gladwell coins the 10,000 hour rule. All Outliers, have put in the time in some form. To be exceptional, there are many factors, but practice and perseverance definitely makes perfect.

Artist as Genuis
Elizabeth Gilbert “Eat Pray Love” discusses the fear and pressure of producing another best seller on the inspirational Ted.com. She talks about artists being a vessel for genius. We are expressing a moment of genius, we are not genius. If we are available, working, present; like an athlete, fit and trained and ready, we are able to express that moment when it arrives.

Taking the pressure of of artists as ‘being genius’ can let the creativity flow easier. Like children happily painting, living in the moment, non critical. Let the genius be. Don’t demand, don’t resist, take the opportunity. Leave the Artist as Brand to give critical judgement.

Artist as Brand
People understand the difference between an original and a forgery. You are not only buying a product, but something that exudes the creative energy of genius. A piece of the artist is in your home.

Each original piece of art is a documentation of a visual path that narrows and focuses as the artist filters out what is of interest in their life. Artist as Brand, is the most difficult challenge for the artist as we try look objectively at our subjective and personal career path. Choosing to destroy the pieces that are not in alignment, keeping those that resonate.

As the artist we are consistently blending personal with business in our life palette. I remember in my impatience wanting more A-ha moments in my life. In all relationships, I failed to realize it was the filler that was just as important. The reverence of day-to-day quiet, boring moments.

Without gathering, listening, inspiring, there is nothing new to present. Without a presentation of what we understand or value, there will be no feedback to gather. Inhale, exhale, the necessary exhange to resonate and express what truly inspires you. Moment after moment are acts of importance. Each presentation an expression of what we understand.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” —Aristotle. My favorite quote.

Our second summer and second Ramadan. I still find it unbelievable that Muslims don’t drink water all day in 45+ summer heat. Food I can understand, but water? Nothing in their mouth, no swimming, not even a rinse from sunrise to sunset. It makes me thirsty thinking about it.

“Fasting is the easy part.” says a friend. “It is controlling your emotions that is hard.” Not getting angry, frustrated, impatient or lose your integrity and self respect — because really you are just hungry. It is not the other person’s fault you are irritable, or self destructive. You will eat soon enough, and can be grateful you are living a satiated life. You are never hungry for 24 hours. Under controlled stress, it is up to you to be lighthearted. Always choose to be your calm, understanding best.

I have been afforded the luxury of soul-searching in Dubai. Has the financial crisis helped calm people’s thoughts and emotions? Was I lucky I be born with lighter skin, or am I luckier to have had parents that stressed the value of education. Or is the luckiest person the one who understands love? The poorest of poor understand intellect is the true rising above the classes. They ask the UN for schools first and foremost. And yet a friend tells me of her highly educated family in India, living in extreme poverty. Intellect won’t bring us happiness, that is a more emotional/spiritual path.

My Japanese friend tells me of how her husband works 7am-11pm six days a week. (This is better compared to his previous 7am-1am schedule.) But then his company has not been paid for the last few months of work completed. She continues in our shock, telling us how this work schedule is normal in Japan. We all laugh when she describes her incredulousness to see a man swimming, relaxed in the pool at 5pm. “Doesn’t he have a Job?!”

Amidst so many working professionals and laborers, Why are we working? comes to mind. The prestige of your job, and what class it represents? The ability to put food on the table, or designer furniture in the house? To have a happy family? The laborers away from their families for a year, the CEO away every day, or the double income parents that are exhausted or never around. The housewife that doesn’t have any economical status, and in some cases no respect — yet has profound effects on her family and our societies future. Or is that the balance, each member taking on separate roles. Helping each other balance needs: emotional, spiritual and physical. The strength of a society through that community of balance. Staying connected as you take on your role in life.

I try teach my children to stop fighting about toys that are supposed to bring them closer together. Sometimes it works, “Look Mom! We’re a Team!” They say proudly. They are too young for Canadian sarcasm.

I get a wonderful email about Coffee, Carrots and an Egg from my favorite High School Physics teacher. A daughter tells her mother of her stresses in life. Her mother gets up and boils one pot with coffee, one pot with an egg, another pot with a carrot. She offers these solutions 10 minutes later. All have faced the same adversary, boiling water. The carrot started hard, firm, resolute but became soft after 10 minutes. The egg was malleable protected in it’s shell, but with time became hard. The coffee released a pleasant aroma and met its adversary with a great result. An enjoyable cup of coffee full of it’s unique intense flavour.

To stop searching and start being. Being the ideal person you want to be, for you and others. The hardest life lesson to put into practice.

JULY 09
No knapsack, I have found myself. On a Switzerland train in silver heels, I sling my fake Prada on my shoulder instead of a guitar. A handsome uniformed boy describes peace-keeping conscription for Suisse defense. I realize I am reading the quotes on the train from my middle-aged bubble.

“DIE VER SUCHUNG, DIETER, DRAMALIKER, ROMANCIER, ZU WERDEN IS GROSS. MIT EIN WENIG TALENT UND PHANTASIE KANN MAN ES SCHAFFEN” J R VON SALIS

“TUTTE LE VIE CHE DERIVANO DAL VERO SONO BUONE QUELLE CHE DERIVANO DALLE TEORIE A DALLE REGOLE POSSONO ESSERE FALLACI” VINCENZO VELA

Basel, Weichs, Lausanne… a crisp breeze through the beer gardens. Four official languages, Mozart’s Opera in Italian with German and French subtitles on the screen. People meet as they walk along the market cobblestones beneath the multi colored shuttered windows. Large leaves crumple and fine gravel crinkles under my heels as I keep walking and walking; reminiscing and drinking in as much as Europe as possible.

I know I took this for granted in Canada. “How Beautiful! How Clean!” tourists would comment. I knew they were right, but had never known anything else. We recycle, we don’t litter, “take out more than you take in” when we camp. I have never heard of the Saskatchewan river polluted from industry. Restored to a beautiful turquoise 100 years later like the Reine. My girls weekend trip was too quick. I walk out from cigarette littered airport entrance into stainless steel and Helvetica type. I am spoiled by Canada’s more considerate (and less) smokers.

I feel like Dubai gives my children some example of the global scale. Living here, and traveling to other countries. The opportunity they have to meet people from all over the world. However, a large expat workforce means we have a huge demographic gap. Teenagers 18-24 are usually studying abroad, and the elderly are almost invisible. I smile remembering the elderly in Europe, walking up and down hills, getting groceries, walking dogs, visiting friends. A wonderfully whole society. I hope Dubai can build the bike culture, and pedestrian society that we even push for in Canada.

I am working on Dubai landscapes now. Capturing the beauty of the desert. The red sand dunes and the nature that does exist amongst highly polished contemporary design. The silence of the desert, and when you finally get there, it speaks to you.

Travel blog or art blog? I’m not sure anymore. I had a wonderful time in South Africa for the holidays, and am happy to be back in Dubai again. Funny how quickly a foreign place can become home. I keep meeting wonderful and interesting people here. I feel fortunate to be part of such an international community.

Tawasul
Conservation, and social commitments to building a future in practical ways, with an incredible outreach focus.
One community was dynamite fishing and destroying the coral reef that provides their resource. Through outreach, they could help introduce other ways of fishing that would help maintain or improve the environment.

“We have not inherited the world from our forefathers
– we have borrowed it from our children.”
Tawasul means reach out in Arabic. It aims to engage young people and students in grass root conservation and restoration ecology.

EmbraceArabia.com
Another great company helps bridge the cultural gap between western and arabian culture. Ali Alsaloom has incredible character and I was privileged enough to hear him speak over Ramadan. HIs website http://ask-ali.com/main.asp has a wonderful interactive question/answer section where people can inquire about the culture. He even has his own show!

Happy new year everyone. I wish you all the best and personal success.
I know it will be another great year.

I really enjoyed the first world feeling of Singapore. The cleanliness, the respect for others, the considerate drivers! It was beautiful to walk along the river in Clarke Quay, enjoying the nightlife, nature, hearing romantic saxophone tones from open bars like Aqua. It was a city with vision, and strong human resources.
A sign on the river states “This is marina reservoir, please keep it clean.”

It is very sad to read the news stories of pollution in Dubai and witness the lack of respect for nature by some people. Dumping raw sewage on the beach, even though there are heavy fines. The beautiful natural Hatta pools were surrounded by garbage, plastic dinner plates thrown in trees. Planning our camping trip in the open sand dunes, we had heard of people’s lack of respect for the beauty of nature. We were happy to find a place clear of garbage and waste. Pristine. We enjoyed the red dunes, the ragged rocks, soft trees and camels tremendously. We met another Canadian from Peachland who agreed with the philosophy of take out what you take in — but beyond that. He always makes an extra sweep of the area and takes out more than his share. Leaving it pristine for the next person.

I am glad to see Dubai’s vision and action for the environment. It is just the education of people that is slow and deserves patience. I feel very priviledged to be part of a very unique place in the world.

“We can easily build malls and towers, but it is difficult to build human resources without vision and plans that guide such an investment.” — Shaikh Mohammad

Organic Patterns: see the series.
Submissions for the December Abu Dhabi show at Emirates Palace feature my focus on organic patterns of light and color. These abstracts are inspired by the Green cities — as I am continually amazed at how the UAE is focused on green architecture and landscaping the desert.

Some other interesting websites and tidbits.

Atlantis is opening after Ramadan. I do feel like a walking advertisement for Dubai, but it truly is a wonderful presentation here.

I have never been great with geography, and this mapgame makes it all the more obvious! Click on the map to try it out!

I love google earth’s night photos that show the world, and it’s highly populated areas. Good ol’ Canada with the lights as south as possible, bordering the States.

http://www.mapsphere.com/download