Advent Day 13–The Capacity to be Alone
December 13, 2013
Advent Day Fifteen–What matters now?
December 15, 2013I began today’s collage right when I woke-up, I slept in today, rising around 7:30–when I stumbled into my studio and began to play around with paper. I assembled the collage, then decided to let it sit while I went to the Shindy! If you are in the Berkshires and looking for an incredible craft/art fair for you must go tomorrow. Dig yourself out and get yourself down to 40 Melville Street. Some great crafters peddling their wares. Perhaps it might even be the best of the craft fairs this year…It’s put together by Crispina ffrench who makes some of the grooviest up-cycled clothes on the planet. Check out her Etsy shop.
Walking around at Shindy and then returning to my own studio, I was continually reminded that you have to show-up. You have to show-up to the studio, to the practice, to the event. 
I have a number of these encouraging statements from various writers and artists–and anyone of them will tell you that waiting for inspiration will get you no where. You just have to work–and when you do–the muse comes too.
Here are my favorites:
SHOW UP, SHOW UP, SHOW UP, and after awhile the muse shows up, too. Isabel Allende
A writer (or artist), who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper. E.B. White.
INSPIRATION is for amateurs–the rest of us just show up and get to work. Chuck Close
A self-respecitin artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. Tshaikovsky.
2 Comments
This is what I needed to read today.
My favorite quote/reminder to work is Michelangelo’s last words on his deathbed to his apprentice:
“Draw, Antonio, draw. Draw and do not waste time.”
Love this–thank you, adding it to my book right now!