“Artist…and that should be enough, wouldn’t you agree?” Paul Mellender
These wise words didn’t ring true within me until recently when I expanded my wings with the writing of this blog and started to re-immerse myself into the world of artists through research and investigation. In the pursuit of my MBA degree, I am taking one last class before I am finished. It is a true blessing that I have for it has shaken me long enough to awaken me out of this trance in my barren cyclical existence. I have lived a sheltered life in a world bound within dull grotesquely textured walls, surrounded by equally creatively closed-minded and dull but good people, those that are not inspired by the endless and boundless world of fantasy permeating from a place of higher cognitive being as we are, for far too long and have lost my way.
Herman Melville wrote in his book, Moby Dick, “I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off-then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.” It is all too fitting. I find this to be relevant to all those who do not follow their true calling. It is high time to get back to what fills you with joy and satisfaction. Art and the art in writing are my expression and devotions, the expulsion, exhalation, and devotion, of all that is creative, imprisoned in me – begging to be freed.
When I studied art in college, I was spellbound by the master artists of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo periods. The prodigious facility that enabled them to create such masterpieces of expression, being, and feeling from their minds, a metamorphosis from forms of obscurity to that which is revered without a step lost in translation onto canvas, into sculpture, and across mediums. Bernini captivated me. His ability to give marble sculpted and painted subjects realistic expressions reaching the gamut of passions – agony, ecstasy, brutality. Their ability to bring forth life from lifeless inorganic matter was awe-inspiring. It takes an artist to take a vision from deep within, draw it, form it, paint it, detract it from a solid piece, or 3D render it to life. I welcome the awakened passion for art and in my artful writing. My fire is growing, I am awakening, in this state of tarrion – I am grateful. So, yes and thank you Paul for the reminder. “Artist” is enough.
An exclusive interview with Paul Mellender will be posted in an article next week.
tarrion
n. an odd interval of blankness you feel after something big happens to you but before you feel the resulting emotional reaction. From tarry, to be late to react, or linger in expectation + carry on. The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig.
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And remember, express yourself in any way that brings you joy and relief and share it with the world. You don’t owe it to anyone but yourself. Happy graphics, my friend.
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Nancy Mues 