Rock Stars and Artists

     Well, I don't really know any Rock Stars but I do know a movie star, some very successful authors and a couple artists who sell their wares for big bucks.  I went to High School with them and as youngsters we were friends.  We went on to college together and I have sort of followed their career paths all along the way.  I may not know them well enough to write their biographies but I could certainly add a chapter or two!
They have become very successful in their career choices but I wouldn't say they were extraordinary people. ultra bright or in any way marked for success from the beginning.
    All three of these people had some talent for sure, in painting or theater or writing things down but I knew others with these same talents who fell by the wayside, on to other things, letting their abilities slide.  Many of us do that, the day to day business of living is calling us all and needs attention.  One day, just for a day, we don't write, we don't paint, no theater of life at all.  These days add up and have a power of their own.  They are demanding and art can wait.  We deal with the necessities of life.
    These people were not rich or well off at all, had no trust fund, nothing special to allow them to travel roads we avoided, had no extra strength to stretch a day.  I think they were directional, knew where they were going and how to get there.  Maybe, maybe not fanatical, they were disciplined and created time for their talent.
    Corvallis is an interesting little town in the heart of the Willamette Valley and has produced several famous people.  I knew Bernard Malamud, a professor and famous author.  He maintained a separate apartment away from his home and family just for his writing and so he wouldn't be distracted.  He wrote four hours a day, every day and had been known to take notes while at a party.  Just in his blood.  I remember a story about the birth of his child concerning whether he would be there or not.  "If it doesn't interfere with my writing schedule," was his response.
    My three childhood friends who went on to become very successful at what they do did so by definition.
First and foremost that is how they saw themselves, writer, actor, painter.  It is who they were and each step along the way was cement to further solidify their identities.

 copper etching

   I one time thought to myself, "How difficult can this be?"
I spent two days hunting for galleries that might like what I do.
This was the easy part.  I had a week of frenzy and created a small pick up truck load of my "stuff" and the galleries loved it.

 My "stuff" in a real art gallery!

I went to "openings",  had wine tastings, actually dressed up in clean clothes.  All of a sudden I was on television and in the newspapers!  I admit this was an accumulation of thirty-five years of experience, and had an idea of what I was doing, but really, it all came pretty easy.

 Painting on copper sheet

What comes hard is the rest of the story, the follow through.  Oh, the galleries were a success and my stuff sold and I was flattered that they wanted more.  It is the definition and discipline that I am having trouble with.  Many days I would prefer to just spend four hours in my garden.  Maybe I am too complex.  Too complicated to be defined?
   I am not driven.  I think, maybe, that is what it takes.

MORE Paintings and Stuff HERE