Sherry mcDonald Stewart on tue 29 apr 97
The general population is hurting! The general population thinks that
they have to do what they are not gifted to do. The general population
doesn't spend much time thinking....and so I don't care if they think
clay is play, and are condescending, because I don't think they know
themselves well enough to decide what someone else is about!
I have made a stand for play before, and I make it once again....play
is about doing what you love, and there is nothing wrong with that, in
fact there is something wrong with the fact that only 13% of people in
this country are doing what they are gifted to do, like to do, and makes
them happy!
If my work in clay, or play in clay, reflects my attitude, which it
should, and I think I have to do the work, then I know I have to go back
to the beginning, and get my head in order, and play with clay until
that happens. I don't want to produce work that expresses drudgery!
And, I am always concerned when people get too defensive about their
,"work," being, ,"work!" I think it reflects a lack of confidence! why
is everybody always fearful of what others think? I don't control their
thoughts! They can think, and will think whatever they want to think.
I am an idealist, for sure. I pay a price for being an artist, but it
is a price I know I have to pay, because I cannot run with the sheep. I
don't know if I will ever make a difference on this planet, or turn
anything around, but, I am sure not going to join the crowds of those
who are completely lost! I just remembered a book, by Sheldon Kopp, All
Gods Children are lost, But a Few Can Play The Piano!" I'm lost, too,
but I can play with clay! And hey, why doesn't anybody get upset about
being a , "piano player?" So there!!!
laurie force on wed 30 apr 97
------
> From: Sherry mcDonald Stewart
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have made a stand for play before, and I make it once
again....play
> is about doing what you love, and there is nothing wrong with that, in
> fact there is something wrong with the fact that only 13% of people in
> this country are doing what they are gifted to do, like to do, and makes
> them happy! . . . why is everybody always fearful of what others think? I
don't control their
> thoughts!
Thank you Sherry, for expressing my own thoughts so clearly. I would add
that it is OUR thoughts that create OUR feelings and without a deep,
experiential understanding of this basic truth, we are doomed to go through
life as victims. Worrying about what others think of me makes me a victim.
My clay work/play, everything else in my life must come second to a daily
practice of this truth in my life, and it is a daily practice. We live in
such a culture of victimhood, and victim thought-patterns come as naturally
as breathing to me. Nonetheless, when I am aware of these patterns and
refuse to be ruled by them, I can create freely and joyfully. I consider
this work as basic as brushing my teeth every day. There are many excellent
books on this subject, but the title of one (by Wayne Dyer, I think) says
it all:
WHAT YOU THINK OF ME IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS
Laurie Force
lforce@mesa5.mesa.colorado.edu
D. Rush Tucker on thu 1 may 97
the problem is not with enjoying your work....it is with others
perception that because u enjoy your work u r somehow less of a productive
member of society......musicians r a good example of people who r expected 2
work(play) 4 nothing.....cause we all know they love what they do.......in
fact u could lump in about any1 working as an artist..........
police work.........plumbers work......carpenters
work.........doctors work.........lawyers work.....................they
all rightly expect 2 b compensated 4 their efforts...........if artists call
what they do playing...then i guess they can b expected 2 give away the
results of their efforts.......well i work at art....sometimes 24 hrs a
day........2 create a piece of fine art is definately not all
play........(ever scraped kiln shelves?).......i hardly ever appeciate others
sentiments that i'm frolicing through the ozone
i guess alot of the underpriced work out there is the work of players
(why would they want a fair price 4 having such a good time)
human beings r here 2 create.....if nothing else they try 2 recreate
themselves.......nowadays most only create piles of paperwork in the chase of
legal tender...there r a million examples of the work of 1 creator being
abstracted and paperworked around and around 2 provide work 4 hundreds of
parasitical hangers on.......they all rightly expect compensation 4 their
work, and feel no pain at discounting the creators spent energies n making
room 4 their cut....since the most basic of urges is denied them, they curse
(maybe unconciously) the 1's who do create.......and if u do nothing but
create on a regular basis then u r fair target 4 all their
frustrations.......when i enconter some1 who's jealousy of my abilities makes
them want 2 belittle my accomplishments, i stand tall and spit in their
eyes....try that on your next grinning mass consumer....like i told the cop
when he asked me, "what the hell kind of living is that?"....."an honest and
productive 1" HEHEHEHE
rush
artimator@aol.com
sunshine and 70 degrees in dallas
| |
|
