“Inspiration is for amateurs – the rest of us just show up and get to work”.
Chuck Close
This is such an interesting idea from somebody who was clearly a professional artist. It was his job and he did like most workers do and by the sounds of it he showed up to work most every day.
I know it is different for me and I imagine for quite a lot of folk who would see themselves more as part-time artists.
I know for sure that the work doesn't get done unless you show up - this I totally agree with! If I am not in the studio nothing is going to be made (things might be happening like reading, planning, photographing, paperwork, exhibition submissions and so on), but I know the work won't be made unless I show up.
In his eyes I am clearly an amateur as most of the time I do need to be inspired to make something. I am not a production line and I am not just doing things because I can. I need to respond to something, to take an issue or concern or worry or delight and bring forth something that represents it. My work has to mean something to me.
I am not sure that this alone makes me an amateur.
I also prioritise a range of things in my life - art is one; but so too is family, community, friends, house and garden...
Am I wrong to think there might also be a bit of male artist privilege at play here?
Women will always inspire me...
Chuck Close
This is such an interesting idea from somebody who was clearly a professional artist. It was his job and he did like most workers do and by the sounds of it he showed up to work most every day.
I know it is different for me and I imagine for quite a lot of folk who would see themselves more as part-time artists.
I know for sure that the work doesn't get done unless you show up - this I totally agree with! If I am not in the studio nothing is going to be made (things might be happening like reading, planning, photographing, paperwork, exhibition submissions and so on), but I know the work won't be made unless I show up.
In his eyes I am clearly an amateur as most of the time I do need to be inspired to make something. I am not a production line and I am not just doing things because I can. I need to respond to something, to take an issue or concern or worry or delight and bring forth something that represents it. My work has to mean something to me.
I am not sure that this alone makes me an amateur.
I also prioritise a range of things in my life - art is one; but so too is family, community, friends, house and garden...
Am I wrong to think there might also be a bit of male artist privilege at play here?
Women will always inspire me...
Saw a major show of Chuck Close at the MCA a few years back, he is such a hard worker! The attention he gives to every detail in his large scale photo realist Jacquard tapestries is very inspiring and that he works from the confines of a wheelchair since the 80's!
ReplyDeleteYes Mo, I admire his work enormously - so detailed and painstaking. I just wasn't sure what I thought about his thoughts on this...It seemed a bit dismissive of others' approaches, and if you are doing photorealism, it seemed to me you select a subject and off you go; not sure you need inspiration for that? Anyhow, I am clearly still pondering!
DeleteInteresting!! I have read so many admonitions to "just do it" and I do believe that showing up is essential, but I also find that if there isn't some underlying "hook" which sometimes even I can't identify, work does not get made. I rarely abandon projects once I have begun, but getting started depends on some strange alchemy of need, practicality and yes, inspiration that can arise (or not!) in surprising ways. Your insight about the possible difference between male and female approaches to creativity will be in my thoughts for a while. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDana, I am so with you on the underlying hook idea! And I also love your description of the alchemy that accompanies beginning something. I am still pondering the male and female thing that is in there somewhere...go well.
Deletewhat a provocative quote ... it brings to mind Natalie Goldberg's "Living Color" in which she considers why there are so many more "famous" women writers compared to women painters ... I will dig it up and send your way via email
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the article Liz! It does delve into some of the thoughts I have pondered around this quote - I am sure there is a gender distinction just not sure exactly how it plays out, but the list there is a great place to start. Thanks again, go well.
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