I really enjoyed doing this little watercolor sketch inspired by James Darum's art. I guess I will always love the western folk art. I know I'm putting off creating my own art. It's so much easier to just follow after someone else. I really believe that no one else can create the art that I am suppose to create. I have to quit sitting in the grandstands as a spectator and play the game.This is another favorite piece of poetry that reminds me to get off my duff. Title and author unknown.
I would rather stumble a thousand times
Attempting to reach a goal,
Than to sit in a crowd
In my weather-proof shroud
A shriveled and self-satisfied soul.
I would rather be doing and daring
All my error-filled days,
Than watching and waiting and dying
Smug in my perfect ways.
I would rather wonder and blunder,
Stumbling blindly ahead,
Than for safety's sake
Lest I make a mistake
Be sure, be safe, be dead.
13 comments:
Hot dog! I'm going to copy that poem and stick it to my desk, my computer, my car, my forehead! Sounds like something to memorize and recite everyday!
I agree with you Mark! Although I'm not going to stick it to my forehead (:)) I'm grateful for your blog Peggy and that you remind us with such a beautiful poem that in life it's life that counts!
That's a great poem. Thanks for sharing it.
"I would rather be doing and daring,
All my error-filled days"
AMEN.
I echo all the other commenters tonight. I think we all have feelings of inferiority at times and it's hard to overcome them at times..thanks for the wonderful words.
Like your watercolors a lot and your writings, also.
I’ve been a working artist all my life. All I’ve ever done or will do. I think what you’re doing in (copying these works) is one of the best exercises you can give yourself as an artist.
Every artist we see, meet or get a chance to work with- we learn from. Even if our own styling is the polar opposite of theirs – we learn from each other. That’s one of the coolest things about meeting other artist online and seeing their work and approach. We’re able to ask them questions and find viable answers for our own concepts.
With each of these paintings you copy –you’re gaining things that you will take into your own creations. And that will happen in it’s own good time.
Vikki
The poem reminds me of this passage from a Theodore Roosevelt speech. "Man in the Arena". You might have seen it before, but here it is.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
You guys are the greatest. I can't believe your generousity of spirit. check out bono's blog - he's a cool cat.
Chica-
Beautiful water colour! LOVE it- grew up with the boys and dirt- takes me back! Lovely work!
I like the spectators but really love the poem. Did you write it?
It would be good to commit to memory.
I love this composition! The long lines of it and the hidden faces .... you really captured a mixture of pride and humility that comes with hard work.
Participants in the Game of Life is a favorite theme of mine. You've said the same thing, from the spectators' perspective. Love the painting... which, coupled with the poem, perfectly paint the sad tale of the spectator behind.
Shivering from inactivity, wrapped in safety, not only not playing the game, but not even able to see it for the folk standing in front.
The most deadly of side-effects of only watching the game is having absolutely NO SAY in the outcome.
Great post. Love the comments you get as well. I'm with Mark at the copy machine...
...and with Redcair in painting philosophy...
...and with Bono in quoting Teddy Roosevelt. Love that quote!
Barb :)
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