Dear Artist, A lifetime ago, when I first visited the mother of a friend in upstate New York, I noticed a small watercolour, hung in the hallway on the lower level of her house. The painting was a spare tangle…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, Nancy Hall of Sandy Hook, Manitoba wrote, “As an artist, mother, farmhand, two-dog owner and a writer, I would sure welcome some organizational tips! I’m curious how you pack all you do into your life.” Thanks, Nancy.…
Dear Artist, Peter Newton of Norwich, UK, wrote, “What do I need to do to make my website look professional?” For Peter, an upcoming exhibition has moved this backburner project to the fore. In some circles, social media has made…
At a recent soirée of old friends and colleagues there was a politician whose acquaintance I had made back in high school. He was a jerk then and, as far as I can see, he’s a jerk now. I found myself pleasantly moving around the room and not making eye contact with him. As a matter of fact, through the whole party I was blind to his existence. To my last Scotch I successfully avoided the renewal of our acquaintance.
Dear Artist, In response to a recent comment questioning the validity of an artwork illustrated in these letters, I read one of self-appointed guru David R. Hawkins’ multiple handbook installments for qualifying spirituality, Power Vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of…
Dear Artist, During the last while I’ve been giving my two bits worth to several would-be painters. These folks are young, well educated and talented. They want to talk about the business of making art, the possibility of going to…
Dear Artist, When fraternal twins Joyce and Judith Scott were born in 1943, they were two peas in pod — soulmate sisters, inseparable and aligned in every way except for the defining feature of Judith having been born with Down…
Dear Artist, Being happy with your life is one thing — being happy with your work is another. Between snow-capped peaks, by satellite hook-up, some email responses to the previous letter ‘Happiness’ made me pay attention. One thing leads to…
Dear Artist, Yesterday afternoon, a group of old friends carefully gathered to celebrate my Mum, Carol’s life. We were perched upon a hill in a light-filled space, while late summer’s Scotch-mist dabbled at the landscape outside. Among those who spoke…
