Writing is easy: all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead. ~Gene Fowler
Have you ever read the book Art and Fear? For tonight’s show For Art’s Sake at New Jersey Center for Visual Arts I will remind myself these words from Ted Orland and David Bayles,
“The title “Artist” has gradually become a form of identity which (as every artist knows) often carries with it as many drawbacks as benefits. Consider that if artist equals self, then when (inevitably) you make flawed art, you are a flawed person, and when (worse yet) you make no art, you are no person all. It seems far healthier to sidestep that vicious cycle by accepting many paths to successful art making- from reclusive to flamboyant, intuitive to intellectual, folk art to fine art. One of those paths is yours.”
I love that idea. That art transcends what we do, and represents who we are.
Stephen DeStaebler says, “Artists don’t get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working.” The human condition. Thinking too much. Feeling too much. It keeps us from picking up our paintbrushes, cameras, keyboards, pencils… even when we know that the act of creating is really what heals us. To survive, we have to confront these issues. Ted Orland puts it perfectly, “Basically those who continue to make art are those who have learned how to continue-or more precisely, have learned how to not quit.”
So, tonight I stand in a room with so many beautiful works of art. Surrounded by people who collect and appreciate art. I bow to each and every artist who donated. Thanks- it has been a pleasure “bleeding” with you. We have so much to feel good about.
For Art’s Sake has raised over $300,000 a year that directly benefits exhibition programs and annual outreach programs including Artists with Disabilities and Arc, NJ Seeds and Young Scholars Program, SAGE Elder Care: Art from the Heart, The Connection for Women and Families and other initiatives in Essex, Union, and Morris counties. Arts educational and enrichment programs are also provided for over 22 school districts across northern and central New Jersey. Thank you, thank you, thank you.