Masks Exhibit

The label "Artist" is a funny term. The term seems so innocuous, and yet, some very strong feelings come up for me when I use it for myself. Am I an artist? Do I just have some hobbies that involve art? What is an artist?

I've explored these questions and more over these past ten years as I've learned more about art, artists, and the world of art. It seems to be the act of putting my art out into the world that is the most challenging for me, which is also why it is hard to call myself an artist. It is easier to call myself a teacher because I feel like I've had the training and experience to be a teacher. Is that also true in art?

A big step came when I signed up to create a Mask for the Museum of Art. This is a fundraising exhibit within our community where artists will make masks, display them, and the masks get auctioned to the public. My daughter did one last year, and I decided to sign up and do one this year.

My idea evolved from a "Spider Woman" theme - please note that this is not the comic book. It is the Native American tale of the Spider Woman weaving our world. With parenting, full time job, and life, I did not have the time to make the "Spider Woman" tale possible for this mask. Maybe I will work on that some other time. Instead, a landscape emerged as the theme for my mask.

I decided to use polymer clay as my medium. The colors, texture, and ease of use were my main reasons. I liked the 3-dimensional effect that it created, and once I got started, it just seemed to flow. I was able to create a design that I was both proud of and that was very pleasing, too. The part that continued to challenge me was my "why". Why did I create this landscape? I love mountains. I love wildflowers. I love nature. Is it just because I love these things? While that does seem to clearly be enough as I'm sitting here writing, it did not seem to be enough at the time.

I searched for my why as I continued to work on the mask. It's amazing how an art project can, in itself, be the journey. I had time and space to sculpt the clay, ponder the landscape, breathe, and have fun. My why came in those quiet moments in the kitchen when the sky was dark outside, and the glow of the kitchen light illuminated me and my work. My own inner landscape came to light - just how tense, anxious, and worried I had been about the world, my family, my job, and so many other things. Peace comes with knowing and being aware, and this awareness allowed me to let go and be present.

Putting myself out there as an artist was scary, and when I finished, I was happy with the result. Art is individual and personal. I just hope that my art resonates with others who may see the complexity and beauty of their inner worlds reflected in my mask.

You can bid on my mask at the Museum of Art in Fort Collins by clicking on this website.

Inner Landscape Mask by Kristina Brown displayed at the Museum of Art in Fort Collins, Colorado