An Unexpected Connection at the Santa Paula Art Museum

One time, during a show at the Santa Paula Art Museum, I was getting ready to walk away from my art when a woman, out of nowhere, grabbed my arm. I was completely caught off guard. She wanted to know what my painting was about. Still holding my arm, she looked at my work, Blunt Force Trauma, a title that seemed to echo the words on the corrugated steel.

The Question that Stopped Me

She asked, "What were you thinking when you created this?" She asked the question like I knew exactly what my painting meant. I gave her a careful, cautious answer. I wasn’t sure where she was coming from, so I explained that the words and the painting reflected pain and power and that using metal was intentional, part of that expression.

An Unforeseen Insight

Before I could continue, she interrupted, still holding my arm. It seemed like the art had grabbed her, too. “Oh, I know!” she said. “It’s like the world crushes people sometimes, right?” It wasn’t just about hearing what I said—she truly saw it in the artwork. I couldn’t believe how quickly she understood, and our conversation took a sudden, deeper turn.

A Conversation About Struggle and Resilience

We ended up talking for a while—about struggle, resilience, and how art can stop you in your tracks and make you see things differently. There was a strange connection between us, an unspoken one. Even when we didn’t agree about the meaning, it made the conversation feel more authentic and real.

Art's Power to Bridge Gaps

As the museum was closing and it was time to leave, I reflected on the conversation. What was great about the encounter was how we cracked open a code—something in the art spoke to her in a way I hadn't fully considered. That’s the crazy thing about art—you never really know how it will affect someone until it does. It pulls you into unexpected conversations.

Art's Ability to Spark Connection

As I walked away, I thought, “It’s not just about the painting anymore—it’s about how art, in its rawness, can bridge gaps, spark conversations, and make you see something in a whole new light." And that's one of the best reasons to keep making art.