red rabbit in the arctic · Creative Thursday

January 14, 2008

red rabbit in the arctic

7 x 5 in.

How are you? How was your weekend?

We got up at 5:30 am yesterday and went surfing at sunrise. I’ve never surfed in January before, so I was slightly afraid the water would be freezing, and even worse that I would then be freezing. But as it turned out, I’m happy to report that neither happened. A warm soft wind was blowing, and I wore a top notch wet suit (it is well worth investing a good one!), and I was just fine. Don’t get me wrong, the water was COLD, maybe the reason for the arctic inspired painting ~ but it was such an incredibly beautiful morning, including a school of dolphin swimming close by, that the cold was easily forgotten. Not to mention I finally caught a wave all the way in...now I still just have to stand up...one of these days.

We also had a famous family celebrity sighting at breakfast. And do they have the cutest, sweetest baby ever?! They also seem like very gracious and kind people in the world of Hollywood. I will say that while it is a bit surreal living here sometimes, because you see famous people all the time ~ my star struck awe has worn off, finally (it only took a few years). Let me just say, these are all people much like you and me. They just happen to make a living in a very public way, which does obviously afford them a very nice lifestyle. But basically they are simply a family having breakfast on a Sunday. With that said, I’m always inspired by anyone who seems to have genuinely stepped into the creative work they were meant to do, and had success with it. So, it was fun to see them, until the paparazzi showed up with the biggest camera lens you’ve ever seen and photographed them shopping at the farmer’s market. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’m really wondering what the obsession is with CELEBRITY? The only thing I can think of is that people are so desperately wanting to have a life filled with recognition and money (that they think will bring them happiness), and they simultaneously think that this is out of reach for them, so they just want to brush up with those that seem to have it, even if it is only through a magazine ~ and in person, yikes! I’ve seen people fall all over themselves trying to make "forced" contact with a celebrity. Wanting to a live a life you love, and do work you love, and looking up to those in the public eye that you think have captured the essence of that, this I get! Having 90% of television programs be a report on famous people’s lives, and having paparazzi stalk a family buying vegetables at the farmer’s market, this I don’t get. When I was looking for for fulfillment and answers to the direction my life would lead, certain celebs were completely intriguing to me. Then I realized that I too can have the life I want, and suddenly my hopes no longer seemed to be outside of myself, especially in the image of a celebrity. If you have any ideas on this one, be sure to let me know. I’m super curious to know what you think, as I might just be speaking from my Los Angeles bubble?!

happy monday!
(click here to buy original)

Comments (9)

I think many people look up to celebrities as role models, some people covet what they have, some people have been following certain celebrity's work for so long that they grow to care about that person's successes and/or failures. While I do think the paparazzi are out of control and the tabloid system is a brutal and self-indulgent industry, I also understand that many people wish their own lives were as blessed as the lives of the celebrity elite, especially when they come from less than fortunate circumstances. Other people use the tabloids to escape from the realities of their own lives and the dangers and violence that is happening in the world. Its a whole plethora of different perspectives and viewpoints.

Its an interesting thing to be a fan because you know someone else work so well, but probably have never met the artist or actor or writer, etc. in person. And they most likely have never heard of you. There's a whole new psychological relationship at play in that regard and not everyone knows how to handle it. As for me, I would be star-struck, probably, if I ever saw that celebrity couple, but I would do my very best to hide it. *lol*

Posted by: Sarah | 01/14/2008 09:08:58 PM

Hi Marissa... I just re-found your blog and am enjoying reading past posts and catching up.

I used to live in Southern California and also saw a lot of celebrities over the years. In time I lost my star-struckedness as well, but I still cringe when I think of one encounter: Jane Seymour was ahead of me in line at a movie theater. I couldn't help but stare at her... she was so pretty! But I was so enamored that I stared a bit too long, and I got thrown the dirtiest look. I deserved it!

Posted by: Carla Sonheim | 01/15/2008 12:25:25 PM

Love the painting, Marissa. As far as the celebrity thing goes...I don't get it either. I think it's also a way for the media to distract people from things that are really going on in the world. People would rather read about Jennifer Garner shopping at the farmer's market than about bombings in Iraq. Sad that we put so much energy into celebrity than we do the real world. The real world needs us!

Posted by: Linda O'Neill | 01/15/2008 03:11:06 PM

Hi Marisa,
I found your blog through Decor8.
I love your illustration style and I check out your blog from time to time to see what is new.
I live in Madrid but am originally from Oregon.
I´d love to order some of your prints for my little girl´s room but I´m not sure if you ship out of the country. I´d also like to ask you about prices for comissioned work. We have three funny cats that I´m sure you would capture through your art : )

Well, I really enjoy reading your blog and hope to hear back from you.
I work in design and branding and have a small agency here in Spain.
P.S.--Love your black kitty. We have a black cat as well. And a siamese and a 24 pound Norwegian Forest Cat!!!!!
Sara
sara@invisiblevisible.com

Posted by: Sara Kiene | 01/15/2008 03:31:53 PM

love the piece! and i can relate to that first moment of deciding to dip the toe, then the whole body into the winter waves. praise whoever invented Neoprene, right?
the funniest thing is that i get the sense that winter surfing in your part of the pacific is probably about the same as summer surfing up here! my clue that it's time to come in is when i start getting the brain freeze headache!
*

Posted by: kelly LOVES whales | 01/15/2008 05:20:56 PM

Hi, I love your paintings! they have a wonderful simplicity, a heartfullness that is completely charming.
About the celeb thing... we don't know them, we only know the images we are given about them and when those images meet the real thing then there is a jarring of what we have learnt about them and the reality sitting in front of us. and yes, I agree with you that people want to dream through other people when they don't feel complete in themselves and maybe don't have the courage or even know the possibility of dreaming their own life.

Posted by: cliodhna | 01/16/2008 10:50:46 AM

I grew up with an appreciation for the fine arts. My mom wanted to be an actress, but my grandma told her it wasn't practical back in those days, so she became a teacher. We enjoyed the movies, stage plays and concerts in our home town as well as in Seattle.
Today my husband and I enjoy the movies and have a great respect for our favorite actors. Ryan Stiles from the Drew Carey show lives here. Bob and I have seen him twice and it always surprises me that he lives here. He is just a regular guy with a darling family.
He started an improv theater here and has helped many people break into their career. You can tell he has a big heart, because he even put on a show to raise money for a young boy who was ill. It's a wonderful thing when there are people who are famous or financially well off enough to help our fellow man.
I think Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are adorable. I am so glad they found each other.

Posted by: Karen | 01/16/2008 08:25:46 PM

I was able to see Ryan perform live with Drew Carey and the rest of the gang at the IMPROV here in L.A. ~ Very, very funny! And he really seems like such a nice person. It's always wonderful to hear that your nice impressions of people are correct. I love that he opened an Improv theater too! I want to go and see a show! It's also nice to hear that he helps people break into their careers. Many of the Industry folk here in LA are notoriously guarded about helping those following in their footsteps.

And Carla, so great to hear from you ~ I honestly can't imagine you ever be deserving of a dirty look ~ you know the funny thing is that Jane just launched her own line of paints and art supplies. She was recently at one of the local art stores launching her new product. Turns out she's an artist too.

Posted by: marisa | 01/17/2008 02:02:23 AM

I am becoming less and less interested in celebrity anything...there is something about the entire Britney Spears catastrophe that has really turned me off to the entire celebrity/media/paparazzi industry. At the gym last week I saw a clip of Britney being taken away in an ambulance with photographers in her face, through the windows...it was shameful. And I realized we are all part of this problem - the media AND the public that buys this crap.

Posted by: Swirly | 01/23/2008 01:18:01 PM