TANGIBLE THINGS

Artists live in a non-quantifiable world – a world of intangibles, the opinions of others, many of whom have scant qualifications to judge you or your art. It’s unfair……but there it is. It has always been this way.

As a counterpoint to this madness, I just refinished four hardwood chairs by hand. I sanded them. I primed them. I gave them four coats of beautiful maroon lacquer, and then I distressed them with a glaze that makes them look old, worn, and beautiful. I took my time, and refinished them with care, love, and great skill. I did that work. No one else. I made them look beautiful.
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No matter how my auditions may go, I can always look at those chairs and say “I did that.” I truly believe that as artists, we all should do something tangible. Refinish a table. Plant and care for a garden. Build something with your hands. Go work in a Food Pantry. It is a powerful antidote to the intangible world all artists inhabit. Go on, get your hands dirty. It’s great.

ORIGINALLY POSTED JANUARY 5TH, 2010