Artisan Column by Jen Rubinowitz | 9/5/11

Michelangelo was forced to paint the Sistine Chapel by a papal commission and was convinced he would fail.  He didn't consider himself a painter but a sculptor.  Today, we are in awe of this amazing work and vignettes from it are regularly reproduced not to mention the chapel itself is now a major tourist stop.  Considered the masterpiece of the Renaissance period, it's ironic that he had such concern about doing it at all.

Many artists struggle with a crisis of faith in their work, in their styles, or in their voice.  Sometimes they completely miss the mark and go so far off course from their natural talent they never regain momentum.  It's challenging to stay true to an original vision when it's so far out of the "norm."  Here on the coast, there are many artists who stay with the safer "birds & beaches" motif.  It's more difficult here to be contemporary or modern in style but so important to provide another viewpoint. 

Whether you're an artist or not, don't hesitate to show yourself in your work.  How boring would it be if we were all the same because we were afraid of being different? Be bold. Be unique. Be yourself in whatever you do.

Artisan Events:

• Fridays & Saturdays through September 17, 7:30 p.m. - "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $6-$16

• Fridays & Saturdays, September 9 - 24, 7:30 p.m. - "Harvey" Live on Stage. The Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.

• Sunday, September 25, 2:00 p.m. - "Harvey." Final Matinee. The Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.

• Daily through September 28 - "Standing Out: 2011 Merit Artists" Exhibit.  Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.

• Daily through September 25 - "Moods" Art Exhibit by Gary Hansen and Jackie Anderson. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.

• Daily, October 2 - "Isle of Man" Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.

Jen Rubinowitz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.