"But the moment I read Van Gogh's letter I knew what art was, and the creative impulse. It is a feeling of love and enthusiasm for something, and in a direct, simple, passionate and true way, you try to show this beauty in things to others, by drawing it. And Van Gogh's little drawing on the cheap note paper was a work of art because he loved the sky and the frail lamppost against it so seriously that he made the drawing with the most exquisite conscientiousness and care. ”
Brenda Ueland, from If Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit.
I found this extract this morning, just as I had set up my work station for the day, down here in the big country kitchen, and I thought it was surely something to share.
I have Terri Windling's blog in my google reader and most days, she has something like this to share with whoever cares to read her. She is a writer, artist, and book editor interested in myth, folklore, fairy tales, and the ways they are used in contemporary arts.
