Ethan Hawke: Wise words and a great reminder

 Giving yourself permission to be creative.

If you get close to what you love

who you are will reveal itself to you

and it expands.

Be willing to play the fool.

Growing Up to Become an Artist

 

Me in1977

    Way back when this photo was taken, I was cramming a final art project in to one evening, even though we were given an entire month to work on our project. I realized then that I work best under pressure and since I can remember I've always been somewhat of a procrastinator. Unless it has to do with desserts, happy hours, or shopping. Oh by the way, I received an A for that semester!

    There are many kinds of artists and ways to be creative as I've learned, and since I've only twice in my lifetime produced large amounts of art at a time I do not consider myself prolific by any means. Because of this I often ask myself, am I really an artist? As I turned 60 during this pandemic I have noticed a shift in what I consider to be a creative life, at least for me. My art supplies have been swapped for balanced peaceful living, more time for developing friendships, fun with grandkids, redecorating our home, and self-care. We can be creative in so many areas of our lives. Paper and pen is not my only medium. If I can throw in my Instant Pot into the mix of creative tools that would be even better, because we all know those work great under pressure too.

An Artist's Life

Scenes from my art journal

Art lives forever

In a memory

in a dream

And if the artist is lucky

It will live in the hands of someone

Whose heart is touched

By its lingered power~

The love

and the passion that was poured

through the brush, the pen, the vessel~

That is all the true artist hopes for

that their passions live on

in the shadows

of their lives

jjames 1992 

Daniel's Song

 

You didn't worry if you fit in

It didn't take away your song

If the world saw you as different

You were just You

Just You all along

When the world dished out some trouble

And the dogs tried to drag you down

Along came a friend you could lean on then

A smile turned from a frown

And in those times you were lifted up

You returned the favor in time

It is us who hold your light and songs

Not forgotten

Not forgotten by One

jj 2019

In Memory of Daniel Johnston

an exceptional artist and light to this world

1/22/61 - 9/11/19