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August 21, 2007
The Is of It.
Consciousness is a thorn in the artist’s side. It’s hard to get away from the fact of doing something creative and immerse yourself in the act of doing something creative. That’s why so many mind-expanding substances are consumed by people in the creative arts – it helps get in touch with the is of it.
As children we are resolved in our intent and so the results are strong, confidence is unquestioned. Young Billy-Bob clutches a crayon and applies it with vigour to the paper and lo - there is his dear Mama, no problem. Even a bit older, when shapes start to be recognised, we know what we see and we just put it down.
a family of carrots, Richard [age 8], felt pen on paper
Later, after school and shading and perspective and ohmylordwhatelse, we question everything. Is gets replaced by if then by what if. There becomes an ideal to aspire to. Eventually there is a state, called drawing, within which we can fail. So fail we do.
The young child has no knowledge of this possibility. Watching a child draw is wonderful, they just do, they are right there with the is of it. We, on the other hand, aren’t, on the whole. But we should be and that is why, whenever I say I’m an artist, people say “Oh, I can’t draw.” They could if they just did, but they don't, they’ve lost the ability.
It’s not just consciousness, it’s self-consciousness. When that beauty kicks in we’re toast, and being is goes out the window.
Posted by john at August 21, 2007 10:05 AM