The life of an artist is surely a solitary pursuit, which is to say, all the output comes from one person – the artist. Age, education, the perfect CV, impeccable references and endorsements, awards, cannot do a thing to get the brush on the canvas, the chisel to the stone or the foot to the dance floor!
I knew from virtually my first painting in 2012 that I wanted to go all in – financially, psychologically, emotionally – believing that it is better to burn and fail trying to achieve something impossibly big rather than give up because of cowardice, fear of rejection – killed off by common sense.
For me, making art has always meant fearlessly pushing conventions and limits until there are none, improvising to the hilt creating endless new realities!
My goal from the beginning of my life as an artist, which didn't happen until I was 62 was never to win - at least not in the normal sense of the word (fame and financial success) - but rather to fail, specifically to fail harder, that is, dare more, risk everything, in pursuit of being as authentically myself as an artist as I could possibly be!
Now 70, I think I am producing the best work of my life. While others may see me as old, heading toward the end of life, disconnected from current trends, out date with my limited tech skills, the truth is I am exploding with creativity, more focused, alive, and inspired, than I ever dreamed of!
If as artists we are not taking risks, daring ourselves to dizzing heights, without any thought of a safety net, what are we doing?