I came across this quote again the other day, while I was toying with the idea of blogging. I knew I wanted to explore the creative process and find my way back to making art for the pure joy of it, like it was for me when I was young, before art school and before it became tied up with work. The quote solidified the goal. I hope the blog helps me find the way.
“THERE IS A VITALITY, A LIFE FORCE, AN ENERGY, A QUICKENING THAT IS TRANSLATED THROUGH YOU INTO ACTION AND BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE YOU IN ALL OF TIME, THIS EXPRESSION IS UNIQUE. AND IF YOU BLOCK IT, IT WILL NEVER EXIST THROUGH ANY OTHER MEDIUM AND IT WILL BE LOST. THE WORLD WILL NOT HAVE IT.
IT IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS TO DETERMINE HOW GOOD IT IS NOR HOW VALUABLE, NOR HOW IT COMPARES WITH OTHER EXPRESSIONS. IT IS YOUR BUSINESS TO KEEP IT YOURS CLEARLY AND DIRECTLY TO KEEP THE CHANNEL OPEN. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF OR YOUR WORK. YOU HAVE TO KEEP OPEN AND AWARE DIRECTLY TO THE URGES THAT MOTIVATE YOU. KEEP THE CHANNEL OPEN.
NO ARTIST IS PLEASED. THERE IS NO SATISFACTION WHATEVER, AT ANY TIME. THERE IS ONLY A QUEER DIVINE DISSATISFACTION, A BLESSED UNREST THAT KEEPS US MARCHING AND MAKES US MORE ALIVE THEN THE OTHERS.”
MARTHA GRAHAM
Susan Sapanara 
That quote inspired me pick up my last unfinished oil painting that has been sitting on my home desk for well over 5 months. I think i’ll lay down some paint tomorrow.
It’s so damn hard. By the time I get home from work, all i want to do is eat, take a shower, and watch mindless TV. I forgot what it was like to sit up till midnight flowing in a groove, painting for my own happiness and no one elses.
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Yea, Paint mike. Your so talented. Hold on to that blissful state. I’m trying to capture it again, when just the process was enough and without the internal dialogue that accumulated over the years.
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You have definatly captured the vintage quality in your painting..I love it! . I have never heard that quote before… it’s going to replace one I always read by Marianne Williamson.. I forgot it now… about how our biggest fears are actually realizing how incredible we are actually are… or something like that.
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Yea, It’s my favorite. Reminds me that the madness is a good thing. It drives us to keep challenging ourselves.
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