My whole life was a prelude to this piece.
(Written to: "Fireflies" by Random Forest)
I heard an artist express this sentiment once.
Regrettably, I can't remember which artist it was. But they said something to the effect of: "It has taken me my whole life to create this piece. Every experience I have ever had has been a building block in some way to this piece's creation."
I can't remember who I heard it from though, maybe Kiefer or Rothko.
“It’s taken me this long to listen to my soul more than my brain.”
I added the word prelude to it, because I am also a writer.
I like to say: "My whole life was a prelude to this piece."
It's taken me my whole life to feel brave enough to pick up a paintbrush in adulthood after a long hiatus away from creating art (some 15-20 years away) and say: "Yes, I will do this now. This is what my soul craves."
It's taken me this long to listen to my soul more than my brain.
My brain can think up decent paintings, but nothing compared to the paintings that my soul already knows.
“My brain can think up decent paintings, but nothing compared to what the paintings that my soul already knows. ”
There is poetry in living a soul-driven life. A sense of relief, too. As if the pressure is off.
I didn't have to fight or strive for the relationship that I am in now. I simply had to listen and follow.
For deep down, the entire time, there was an engine running beneath all of my thoughts and feelings that was propelling me like a freight train in this direction. To this man. To this place.
The same applies for art. Whatever your medium or method, you feel an inexhaustible and sometimes illogical drive toward it.
That's how I am with painting.
Who starts a career in painting in adulthood?
Who doesn't go to art school and has the audacity to approach the finest galleries in New York City?
Who does this? Who paints this way? Who?
“My whole life has been a prelude to each piece that I co-create with God. The messages. The principals. The techniques. It’s all led to this. ”
My whole life has been a prelude to each piece that I co-create with God. The messages. The principals. The techniques.
It's all led to this.
My entire life has led me to the moment that I take a giant palette knife and stroke the creamy oils across the canvas, watching the colors blur together.
My whole life has resulted in me singularly focused on a one brushstroke, as well as my intent behind it.
Great art has a depth of intent. Even and especially if that intent is nothing deep at all. The act of assigning meaning to a thing, that's art.
“Great art has a depth of intent. Even and especially if that intent is nothing deep at all. The act of assigning meaning to a thing, that’s art.”
My life has led me to this belief.
My life has led me to this piece.
My life has led me to pick up my bottles, and knives and brushes and create whatever I feel as though the world would be better if it had.
That's art.
“My life has led me to pick up my bottles, and knives and brushes and create whatever I feel as though the world would be better if it had.”
As I look to the future, I hope to assign the hours of my life to truly meaningful acts, such as love and prayer and sharing.
Because if you don't give away what you have learned, then ask yourself: What will your life be a prelude to?
TRISHA WILES