Every once
in a while, an artist experiences what he believes to be a sense of
creation. The painting seems to flow easily, no problems, just
`click, click, click', and it's done. It feels good doing it,
nothing interferes from the outside world, concentration is
complete, it really is a little bit of `heaven'.
And, if this were not enough... the result is good. Over time, it
usually proves out to be even better. I know that if I keep
painting, every once in a while, it will happen...
"The object, which is back of every true work of art, is the
attainment of a state of being, a state of high functioning, a more
than ordinary moment of existence...These results, however crude,
become dear to the artist who made them because they are records of
states of being which he has enjoyed and which he would regain."
(71)
Robert Henri
"For I was, as you have already guessed, a collaborator with
destiny, not one who put a pistol to its head and demanded
particular treasures." (72) Robertson Davies
"Because creativity is unique, bringing into being something that
has never existed before, true art is always `elitist'. This
`elitism', however, has nothing in common with the so-called elites
of the economic and social structures; it is more like a priesthood
- not a role you inherit, buy or fake your way into, yet open
without discrimination to anyone, provided that he or she has the
vocation, commitment and dedication to devote a lifetime to its
service." (73)
Thomas Albright
"Any right understanding of the proper relation of man to man and
man to the universe would make war impossible." (74)
Robert Henri
71. Robert Henri, The Art Spirit, (Toronto, Canada, Fitzhenry &
Whiteside Ltd., 1984), p.159
72. Robertson Davies, The Deptford Trilogy, (The Chaucer Press,
Great Britain, 1986), p. 173
73. Thomas Albright, On Art and Artists, (U.S.A., The Chronicle
Publishing Co., 1989), p. 209
74. Robert Henri, The Art Spirit, (Toronto, Canada, Fitzhenry &
Whiteside Ltd., 1984), p.145
