Whats firing you up these days? The answers were as wide and varied as their artistic personalities -- from concerns of ecology, health, failed relationships, teachers, clubs, joy of painting, and just plain joy. It was funny -- one of my wealthy friends was burning with anxiety over poverty, while a boorish one was worried about burning out from too much joy. I often think a significant study could be made of just who does the complaining, and why. Some had to think long and hard to answer my question about what was firing them up. One admitted: Not much. More than once I was in mind of Fred Scorchers remark: Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire. Through all of this I kept my antenna up for self-awareness, including the business of being sensitive to local stimuli. I guess I was looking to see if anyone was burning with what Walter Pate called a hard, gem-like flame. Im always curious how we come to terms with our feelings about our worlds and what we are prepared to see in them. Paul Gauguin, in a world-weary moment, asked himself: How does one re-light the fire the very ashes of which are scattered? Indeed, looking for or rekindling fire is the daily chore and the daily joy. How its done is a wonder of human nature and the secret trial of artists. Its also the trick. At fire, we must all become specialists. In a jaded world, passion is the premium. It can be seen in the eyes, and there is little evidence of storm or bombast. It seems to me that the best of passion is a reserved glow -- the plain and humble burn of a quiet heart.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 07:17:45 +0000
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