Yes

Happy birthday to Yoko Ono, who turned 82 this week on February 18.

Supposedly John Lennon first saw her conceptual piece “Ceiling Painting” at a gallery in London and it led to their meeting. I have no idea if this is true or if it’s just a good story, but I always liked this piece of hers. In my opinion, it’s simple, and it works.

The viewer climbs a ladder and then uses a magnifying glass to read a single word printed on the glass: “Yes.”

So you can see why when I wear this earring, I always think of her.

I’ve been busy this week sending out proposals and entries for exhibitions, so it seems like a perfect time to celebrate the yes.

For most of them, I am sending work or ideas I’ve already got, but for one potential show, I got to create a new photo series, Race You, that involved painting lots of fruit black and white.

I actually had originally planned for this series to involve letters made out of fudge…apparently I was hungry!

Anyway, I won’t bore you with all the details but will just say that I’ve learned even conceptual work like this doesn’t really happen in your brain. You may start with an idea, but then it’s all about working with the material and letting it take you where it wants to go.

So here’s to letting it take you, and to finding that yes, wherever it may be hiding.