Desert Poem #970 10" sq gouache on w/c paper"What is the meaning of doing art for you?"
The "doing" is the "art". We see the finished work and
we think that is the "art". But the finished work is only
the visible by-product of the process. We go into the
studio and we begin the ritual, hopefully, with grace,
because everything shows.
And that is where I am and where I must stay. Each
morning as the sun rises above Taos Mountain you will
find me at work in the studio. It is a problem unsolved,
that turns into another problem unsolved and I must
continue. I am responsible to the process. It is my life, my
breath. Whatever happiness is, I could not be happy
without my work. It is what I do. It is what I am. It sustains
me in all weather, be it sunshine or shadow.
My favorite quote is Henry James, "We work in the dark,
We do what we can, We give what we have, The rest is the
madness of art."
The journey is unknown, winding, and full of danger, but the
rewards are great. And what else do we do in life, that we
sign our name to?
Stumble, Stumbling, Stumbled
It's never easy for too long.
It seems, sometimes we stumble,
--We right ourselves--
Perhaps return to a safer place,
Perhaps jump to the next stone,
--We get clear--
This is what I want
And this is not.
--We begin again--
It's never easy for too long,
For sometimes...................we stumble.
3 comments:
Well said...heartfelt and true...thank you!
Mary Ann I thought so too. I was thrilled by Annell's response. I loved the Henry James quote also.
Well said indeed - and I agree - I like having the stuff to look at afterwards but it's the process that compels me. Oh, I better save that for my response to the question :)
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