If I could draw a straight line, I'd be an artist.
Okay, maybe not for a living, but definitely for an avocation.
I love art. Colour, shape, texture... the ability to capture the universe in a simple representation is an exquisite talent. I am thankful when those talented people share their vision and passion. Though "simple" itself is a misnomer, because even simplicity itself is a reduction of complex proportions. And by "representation", I am not limiting the discussion to representationalist schools of art. Abstract is fine with me. Or impressionist. Just about any "ist" in fact.
Maybe I should have studied art history, so I would know all the various "-ists" and what they stand for. The basic course at my university was notoriously easy, and, being gifted with an exceptional memory, I likely would have tested well, getting good grades. Would that have guided me into a career based on art, rather than dealing for the devil? Or would it have reinforced my academic interest in history itself, steering me towards teaching, or documentary films?Or at least equipped me to appreciate more than 'I know what I like'?
The road not considered is another road not taken, along with the ones diverging in the woods.
Why did I not even consider art history? Because in that feminist yet still sexist era, it was a 'girly' course? Because I was too career oriented, and filled my elective slots with 'practical' courses like philosophy?
Perhaps it all began to go 'wrong', i.e. down the other road, all the way back in kindergarten, where I failed staying within the lines. I was a killer at 'one of these things don't belong' though, so got promoted into grade one. Whew...Despite that setback, I persevered and took one year of art in high school. My inability to draw a straight line caught up to me then. I've blocked out the grade, but know it was my lowest score, even worse than my 'good effort' gift grade in phys ed (my different abilities limited my participation, but the teachers liked my spirit).
I enjoy gallery visits, would buy more art if my tastes did not exceed my means. I probably could read more about art, and educate myself further. Which rounds out the circle to why I never took art history - would applying myself to the study of a subject which is performance based merely constantly remind me of what I can not be?
I've always been one to stay on the road I'm travelling. I meet lots of interesting fellow travellers.
Maybe I should take a wine tasting course instead.
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Linda Seccaspina
Kat Hudson
Miranda Celeste Hale
Persephone13
Robin Sneed
Catherine Forsythe
Salon.com
Comments
I was never allowed to take art in high school. I was in the "college" track. Isn't that just ridiculous? Now I make art for a living.
Look for the price of art to begin to drop. No one can afford it and artists need to eat. I've lowered mine by half and it's still difficult to find buyers. Used to be I couldn't create it fast enough.
Rated.
was it Picasso who said that before you can make abstract art you need to master the straight line?
I'm old enough that straight line thinking was all the vogue - I was the first cerebral palsy kid admitted to regular school system.
I tend to buy art from struggling local artists - if their proces fall much, they'll be paying me. With paintings etc, the cost of framing already exceeds to cost of the art.
Take a class. Go for it. It's winter in Canada, for what, six more months? Take a class...
(But wine tasting sounds like a heck of a lot of fun.)
So many things we tell ourselves are just stories. Seeing taking the course as something that might remind you of what you cannot be..why suffer like that. Enjoy it and be grateful for the simple experience of learning. Rated.
So I guess all I have to offer here is my empathy.
Cindy: all these compliments might go to my head.
Moms... I can't play music either.
One of my favorite lines, "The road not considered is another road not taken, along with the ones diverging in the woods." So true.
You wrote, "...would buy more art if my tastes did not exceed my means." This is true for many, but, at least it is not the other way around. Some have more "means" than taste!