to be an artist

"To be an artist it is not necessary to make a living from our creations. Nor is it necessary to have work hanging in fine museums or the praise of critics. It is not necessary that we are published or that famous people own our work. To be an artist it is necessary to live with our eyes wide open, to breathe in the colors of mountain and sky, to know the sound of leaves rustling, the smell of snow, the texture of bark. It is necessary to rub our hands all over life, to sing when and where we want, to take in every detail, and to jump when we get to the edge of the cliff. To be an artist is to notice every beautiful and tragic thing, to cry fully, to collect experience and shape it into forms that others can share."

- Jan Phillips in Marry Your Muse

Comments

[elk]

i am going to cut and paste this quote ... and oh how the softness of the image holds the words

[steph]

This is so beautiful. A beautiful quote, and beautifully matched with your photograph. Thank you!

[Jerry Critter]

And never forget to scratch a doggy's belly.

[Maryann Devine]

Beautiful photo, and I love that last phrase - "to collect experience and shape it into forms that others can share."

[Tracy]

Oh, yes... I couldn't agree more! I find creating a necessity... it is something I MUST do to live, and through it be fully alive. It is through creating the finer details of life are often notices and appreciated fully. It is like the 8th sense, and a creative experience is a spiritual one too. Your photo greatly represents the artist at work, Elizabeth :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

[jan]

I like this quote. I consider myself an artist, can I hand out this quote on cards to people when they ask what I do?

[Sherron]

What a wonderfully uplifting quote! I love the photograph, too. I find it both soothing and passionate, an interesting combination!

[Erin]

That is just simply beautiful.

(However, I do desire making a living off my creations. Sorry Jan)

[ampersand]

exquisite quote and the color tones in the image are lovely.

[elizabeth @ retinal perspectives]

@erin: oh yes, me too. i suspect jan would cheer us on. :)

@sherron: soothing and passionate! i can see that.

@jan: why not? though you could probably just tell them that you are one and it'd save you time and paper. :)

@tracy: an 8th sense. i like that. and it seems spiritual to me too .. at least i am more fully appreciative and alive when i am taking photos, for example.

@maryann: me too.

@jerry: exactly! atlas appreciates being included. :)

@steph, @ampersand: thank you!

@elk: good idea. i need to hang it up somewhere, i think.

[jaime]

What an inspiring way to live....I would love to be able to go to bed at night knowing that I have lived as fully and richly as possible that day....got my hands dirty, cried with an open heart, and loved every exquisite experience.

[chrissy]

seriously beautiful friend?
i NEEDED this today.
thank you
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart!

[Relyn]

This. This was EXACTLY what I needed today. Thank you.