January 22, 2007

Art Friends

An admitted recluse, days and weeks can go by without any involvement with art or artists beyond my studio and computer... a dry and only minimally inspiring way to live, but that's the way life has evolved. My bad. Fortunately, I can't say no to friends passing through and urging me to get off my duff and mingle... and that's the way I spent the weekend. My visiting artist friend and I drove a couple of hours to visit a couple of long time good friends, one being about as much a mentor as I can claim... a professor emeritus of note in the area but I'm not even going to bother mentioning names because, believe it or not, there are an awful lot of really good artists out there that Google never heard of because they couldn't care less about the Internet, websites or whatever. They just make art... damn good art!

The other artist we stayed with has the most awe inspiring contemporary home... and I ran out of batteries for my camera! A community of similar homes was developed with economy in mind, but ultra design being a priority. It was spectacular! So I returned with all sorts of inspiration on two fronts... the studio and the lake house! Plus a couple of large but very minimal paper pieces which will continue to inspire.

Amazing how getting out the house can stir the juices! Really must do it more often!

4 comments:

Olga Norris said...

Yes, it can be great going out to inspiring environments with creative friends. I had a wonderful similar day last week which provided me with a much needed filip. On the other hand I'm still trying to get back into the swing of work after visitors and holidays, so am wishing reclusiveness upon myself. I am now drastically limiting my internet and blogging time, ... it is amazing how much of the day can disappear that way, pleasant as it is.

I visit your blog far more often than I comment. Your work I find inspiring, and it gives me a real lift.

Karen Jacobs said...

Oh, you are so right about time and how much blogs and all things wwweb absorb. I've long cherished my rut, wallowed in it, indeed. But too much of anything is not a good balance. KJ

Tracy Helgeson said...

Nice to get a reminder to leave the house more often! I tend to hibernate also, and love it, but I do sometimes forget how inspiring it can be to do a bit of traveling.

Karen Jacobs said...

When we moved from NOLA 6 yrs ago I promised I'd be visiting soon since they would now live an easy drive away... and I finally made it! So negligent of people so important to me!