Coming back from a visit to Asheville, I feel inspired in a strange way. The remnants of destruction are still visible everywhere, but some businesses are picking up, and the sun was shining bright. I am convinced that this is a Place of Power, which experienced its polar opposite to reveal its force. A yoga class at the Asheville Yoga Center, led by the owner Sean Johnson, drew a big crowd. It was all about the river and the healing surrounding it. For the first time, I felt the weight of the water and the significance of this historic event. I realized I was physically part of history, bonded with all the people who were there the day Helene hit—Friday, September 27, 2024.
At first, I felt really down when I noticed the rubble still hanging in the trees. We still have such a long way to go. But after the class, I felt a new energy. Art is part of life—my life, your life. Once it grabs you, you know it’s not a one-day affair. You can’t really take it away from a person. That’s the beauty of it.
However, the art world is vast. “Art Basel is for hookers and pimps,” my art dealer mentor once said. I believe that. Between Art Basel and a craft fair in Asheville lie all the nuances. The art world is too big to comprehend; we can only see a fraction of it. A shock factor—like a taped banana on a wall—is short-lived and leaves people feeling empty, as if they’ve been fooled. I asked myself: What is it we want from art? We, the artists? Or we, the viewers? Are the makers different from the viewers? Or are we all in it together?
One day, a man came into my studio and said, “I tried everything—from drawing to watercolor to painting in oils—but I realized how hard this all is…” You bet. It takes a lifetime to figure out your technique, your vision, your love for whatever the arts are going to be for you. But figuring it out is worth it.
You can decide to become a patron forever, and we artists deeply appreciate this. We need admirers. What is a kiss if there is nobody to receive it? For the more adventurous crowd, I encourage patience with yourself as you learn to build new neural pathways to draw or paint.
Stop judging your efforts. If Van Gogh had judged his efforts, we would never have experienced his richness. Some of my students, who never drew before, now have the time to dedicate themselves to drawing in retirement. You are never too old. Grab a pencil and paper, plus a good teacher. Expand to other materials slowly. Learn to focus. Dedicate time and space to being in the Now while creating. Don’t be tempted to think that watching a demonstration on YouTube will make you a master of oils, pastels, or watercolor. It doesn’t work that way. Get in touch with me if you’re in doubt.
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