“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”
Maya Angelou
I imagine there are quite a few variations of this notion, but for me, this is a wonderful one. Ms Angelou speaks simply and eloquently, describing things in a way you recognise, creating a familiar understanding; and then gets you with those last few words. Gulp!
"...do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you".
I find this part really powerful, and really challenging. Is that the outcome I really hope for? Would I be afraid if that happened? Would I feel like shining or like hiding? Wow.
It pulls me up to consider what it means for me to make my art. I understand the first part about not doing it for the money (so few artists do or can...) but do I want my work to be so good; so wonderful that people simply can't stop gazing? Hmmm.
Those words are left slightly ambiguous I feel (and no doubt deliberately so) about what happens when that gaze hits you' - does the work sell? do you become famous? or do people simply know to watch out for the next thing you do?
I know I don't have answers, but I think I owe it to myself to consider what I hope for as I make my art, and this quote will no doubt come into play as I review the year and look ahead to 2018...
Sturtevant Raysee High Voltage Painting 1969, seen at Moderna Museet, Stockholm 2017.
Can't take my eyes off you...
Maya Angelou
I imagine there are quite a few variations of this notion, but for me, this is a wonderful one. Ms Angelou speaks simply and eloquently, describing things in a way you recognise, creating a familiar understanding; and then gets you with those last few words. Gulp!
"...do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you".
I find this part really powerful, and really challenging. Is that the outcome I really hope for? Would I be afraid if that happened? Would I feel like shining or like hiding? Wow.
It pulls me up to consider what it means for me to make my art. I understand the first part about not doing it for the money (so few artists do or can...) but do I want my work to be so good; so wonderful that people simply can't stop gazing? Hmmm.
Those words are left slightly ambiguous I feel (and no doubt deliberately so) about what happens when that gaze hits you' - does the work sell? do you become famous? or do people simply know to watch out for the next thing you do?
I know I don't have answers, but I think I owe it to myself to consider what I hope for as I make my art, and this quote will no doubt come into play as I review the year and look ahead to 2018...
Sturtevant Raysee High Voltage Painting 1969, seen at Moderna Museet, Stockholm 2017.
Can't take my eyes off you...
have you read Langston Hughes?
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't Susan! I have just done the quick google and he sounds intriguing...
Deleteempathy
ReplyDeletehmmmm tricky one isn't it Mo? She is so insightful and incisive at times!
DeleteGreat post today! Words that resonate with many of my "thinking about art creating" pieces as I write and sketch.
ReplyDeleteKristin
Thanks Kristin. These were quite challenging words for me in the end - and have added to that ongoing conversation of to what end? and why? What purpose? about my making and creating - they have added a certain edge I must say! Go well.
Delete