Sabbatical

Friday, December 12, 2008 -- Cuernavaca, Mexico

Happy Eid'ul-Adha!

And Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanzaa!

Finally, Happy Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe which, incidentally, is today.

It would be an understatement to say that El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe is a big day in Mexico. Cuetes (fireworks with no display but a loud report) have been sounding throughout the city since the very wee hours this morning (all night, according to friends). A while ago, a small parade passed by my house with a couple hundred people walking behind a pickup that carried a plastic statue of the Virgin Mary overarched with flowers. In the street amongst the walkers were a half-dozen dancing chinelos, masked and robed male dancers that whirl and jump to ebullient trumpet and drum music, an old (some say ancient) tradition that originated here in the state of Morelos. I can still hear their music in the distance.

But I digress...

Don't look for my booth at the Armadillo Bazaar this year, because you won't find me there. I took a much-needed sabbatical from painting for a living in 2008, and I've spent the year learning a new trade (web design), absorbing the culture of Mexico, exploring new relationships, studying the Spanish language, and teaching myself to paint for the joy of it...again.

It's been exciting, this search for creative authenticity. The process has not been easy, and it's come to me slowly and painfully, but I've found it liberating to create art with no pretense or expectation of ever showing it to anyone...let alone selling it. Simultaneously, I've returned to my musical roots and am playing guitar and writing music again for the first time in years.

I look forward toward 2009 as another year of growth and change, but I make no promises or predictions, artwise. I am letting this sabbatical run it's course and am withholding expectations for when it might end or what may result from it. Until then, you probably won't see much (if any) new work appearing on these pages.

I wish you a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!

...........Curtis..........

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Original semi-abstract acrylic watercolor paintings by Austin, Texas, artist Curtis Long.
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