Brian Flowers, a painter/sculptor living in Ojo Sarco, one village up from Truchas, had an opening at Hand Artes Gallery here in Truchas the other night. I don’t know how many of you have lived in small towns before but the very fact of their size makes the experience of living in one intimate. We all know everybody, especially artists within this arts community. We’re a bit like a family and, like all families, as in all relationships, there are going to be challenges from time to time and Truchas is no exception. Brian’s intention was to bring every artist who lives here into the same room at the same time, surrounded by beautiful art, so we could each remember why we care about the other and it worked. I believe, and have always believed, that art heals—its maker and the viewer. I feel one of the ways it does this is to remind us we’re all connected. The spirit of this gathering was truly beautiful and it was easy to re-bond as a whole. We need each other up here in this remote village and, in spite of the fact we’re all pretty fiercely independent by nature, I think Brian’s gathering reminded us it’s OK to need the other.
Brian calls this exhibit “The I Show.” He believes we create our own reality by projecting ourselves onto others and since this is the case, he is allowing all those other I’s to make the decision to involve themselves. There is a sign posted in one room of the show that states, “Pricing on the works in this room only are as follows: ‘I will pay what I want’.” If the viewer finds value in a piece, Brian wants them to assign the monetary value as well. He says, “Not everything has to be about money. If we connect we connect. Kids can show us what’s important and we can rise above the greed machine.” His concept allows the viewer to be a participant and also affords people access to owning original artwork.
Although Brian has an arts degree from a fine arts college, he considers himself self-taught. He’s been painting and sculpting for 22 years. He says his process has shifted at least a million times, “… with every waking realization.” His art is, in fact, the process. The finished piece is just an object, a result of being unattached during its creation and fully enjoying the doing.
I offer this poem, written for the show, by Brian:
The more that we have
The more that we need
I’m tired of this struggle
This face that is Greed.
To simplify and structure
The Self around others
The selfish nature
Of the Self which smothers
I am the I
Not the Them
Nor the why
I’m the countenance
For the pestilence
And the face that lies
Until I so wake
From the make believe
That the world will save
The Them that is Me
I cannot shine
I cannot fly
Through the dream real
Through the dream High
Yet I will not quit
I will not give in
To the complacent
The faceless
the covetous within
I choose to choose I
To change the them that is me
I choose to choose wise
Once again to believe
I love Brian’s artwork both in words and other forms:) I will go to his website. Thanks for sharing more and more of your daily life – the nature of your community of artists and friends. The gallery photos are very wonderful. Was this the lovely event that you took the steep path home from?
Love and light to you,
I look forward to more news from your neck of the woods:)
Grace
Tomorrow I am running in Winter pineapple event – I am preparing for high probaility of muddy obstical course conditions – with layers of clothing to keep the rain and mud at bay. lol
Yes, a big reason for the blog is to share my life and the people in it. I’m glad you like being introduced to them. It’s a pretty amazing world here and not what many expect from such a rural environment.
This was, indeed, the fateful night when I took a tumble. I’m going out tomorrow night for the first time since my accident–dinner party with friends–and I promise to be more careful!
I didn’t know you still ran. How long is the pineapple event? Run safely.
lol
I have not found a website yet for Brian Flowers…does he have one?
Thanks for sharing it if he does lol.
Grace
No, I’m sorry Grace, he doesn’t. I would have posted it if he did.
We are so proud of our son, Brian. I wish we could
have been there.
It was a wonderful night. I wish you could have been there too. I’d love to meet you next time you’re in the area.
Can u please get a message to Brian Flowers and tell him his cousin Kelley is trying to get in touch with him. email address: fnegron214@yahoo.com. thank you.
I don’t think he has a phone Kelley, but if I see him I’ll tell him.
Please also tell him to check his FB page. I am a random person who came across one of his works in a second hand store. I love the painting and would love to know the backstory.
Hi Steve–Brian doesn’t have a FB page. That’s another Brian Flowers. I haven’t seen him in the village for a very long time. He has no phone and I don’t know his email address. He’s a VERY private person. But I believe he still has a stall at the flea market north of Santa Fe on opera hill.
hi steve, that’s pretty neat that you found one in a second hand store. i prefer them to be passed on when discarded rather than thrown out. the facebook page is done by a friend of mine, so i’m not really involved much on the net. which painting did you find?
reach me on my e-mail at Flub@dr.com. i don’t check it often but will get back when i can
Hey Brian–Hi! I’m glad you saw this communication and I hope Steve will see your reply. I hope you’re doing well. J