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I remember having this book in my possession during my sophomore year- Luke had assigned it to me, but I basically blew it off after reading the first page or so. It looked and sounded like it was going to be redundant and just plain boring. Wow, how could I have been more wrong.
I liked what Luke said to me today: sometimes books come along when you're ready for them.
When I read the introduction this time around, I was intrigued and fascinated by Kimmelman's innate ability to describe the indescribable. The words just roll off his mind like any other thought- it seemed almost effortless. The fact that I also now have a richer library than I did in my freshman, sophomore and junior year was also beneficial while reading the passage because I finally knew who these artists were! I know who Pierre Bonnard, Edgar Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Antoine de Saint-Exupery are. To have this type of knowledge is irreplaceable because without it, these names are empty and devoid of meaning.
One quote from the passage that really struck me was how he approached art:
"I hope to approach the art of seeing here in the spirit of an amateur. I mean amateur in the original sense of the word, as a lover, someone who does something for the love of it, whole heartedly. The best amateur has the skills of a professional but true professionals stay amateurs at heart, keeping a lid on the cynicism and irony that can pass for sophistication in some circles."
This was simply amazing and groundbreaking for me. I loved it so much I wrote it down in my sketch book. It resonated with me because it's something that I want to stand for. Last year during grading time, Luke had us create our own advice. Mine goes as follow:
- Whenever someone asks me why I'm doing something that seems outlandish or unordinary, the only answer I can give them is "Why not?"
- Allow yourself to experience all that there is and to soak up all the opportunities that come your way. Who the hell are you to say that you are too good to do something? However, you must be wise in what you choose to indulge in because while you say yes to one possibility, you also say no to another, and vice versa.
- I believe that it is truly possible to work in any medium regardless of its quality. Yes, it might piss you off that its not turning out the way that you desire, but who knows- happy accidents may occur. Do not let the physical properties of something put limits on your imagination.
- Most importantly, keep your ego in check. With pride comes a big ego, and with a big ego comes a breeding ground for douchebaggery. And no one likes a douchebag.
In one way or another, our advice to others is quite similar- create and love art for the sake of passion and existence. Let your ego get in the way and you will become a sell-out of an artist.
