8 reasons why making art is like making love
It has been occurring to me lately that there are many correlations between two of my favorite activities. and because I am going to try to write down the thoughts that come to me, instead of screening them based on some introverted fear I have decided to write this list. It’s been churning around in my brain for a while and was finally kicked out of there and onto my blog by Problogger’s 31DBBB project.
- The more you do, the more you want to do
- Thoughts about doing it invade your mind all the time, distracting you from your every day activities
- Gunk gets in places you wouldn’t believe
- You get really grumpy when interrupted
- If it isn’t going well you feel frustrated, inept and close to tears
- If it is going well you feel like a treat such as cigarette or a drink afterwards
- It provides a natural high
- There is a big sense of release at the end of a productive session
Yes! You get it. I also find this quote relevant:
“My feeling about technique in art,” John Barth told an interviewer in 1968, “is that it has about the same value as technique in love-making. That is to say, on the one hand, heartfelt ineptitude has its appeal and, on the other hand, so does heartless skill; but what you want is passionate virtuosity.”
- Charles Harris, “Reading John Barth”
April 9, 2009 at 12:44 am
Hi Jennie! Hate to say it but haven’t been here for a while. Too much Twitter and too little YOU! Have come catching up to do.
Anyway, to your comments about makig love and making art, add writing to the list. It fits pretty well within your criteria. An addiction in it’s own way. Anther means of expression.
Some differences: Lovemaking is brief but memories last for a while; Writing lasts for a while then may be forgotten; Good art speaks for itself and lasts as long as the medium used to produce it survives.
You do good stuff. Art and writing both. As far as the third item is concerned, well, guess that’s between you two. Keep working on all three!
Anyway, glad to have you back! Angie & Steve ps: Like Erick’s quote.
April 10, 2009 at 2:00 pm
It’s so good to hear from you guys! I know things have been a little difficult for you too, I hope things are going a bit better now
I decided to dump the twitter, it was really only there to cover my posts while I moved house and it annoyed me so I’m sure it annoyed everyone else! I wouldn’t have minded a weekly best of or something but I can’t be bothered collating it myself so it’s gone. (for those who care I have twitter updates on the side bar)
back to the subject
I think writing is art personally, it’s probably also the one I spend the most money on (I am a voracious reader) that’s why I decided to title it making art rather than just painting, because there are so many artforms out there and I am sure they all have the same thrills in common with my other favorite activity!
I love Erick’s quote too, that’s fantastic!
[edit] I went to find out where this comment had gone only to find a whole lot of your comments were automatically put in my spam queue – I am so very sorry! usually akismet is very good at filtering out all the rubbish and leaving me with the good stuff, I guess maybe it censored you based on Nudist? I don’t know, all I know is that it was not me, I love hearing from both of you. I have put all the comments I could find back up (11 pages of viagra and porn! and some well though out comments from some friends in Wisconsin
)
April 10, 2009 at 2:35 pm