The great cellist, Pablo Casals
was known for playing his cello well into his eighties
and nineties. He would start each day by playing
Bach, and as his fingers played the notes his posture
was transformed, his shoulders straightened, and
his eyes recaptured the glint of life and joy. Music
was his life and music made him come alive. He was
faithful in practicing his instrument four or five
hours a day. When asked why, at his age, he still
worked so hard, he replied, "Beause, I have
a notion that I am making some progress."
We, too, ought to have the notion
that we are making some progress...that through our
love of painting, we're moving ahead in the quality
of our artwork and in the quality of instruction
we're giving to our students. Life does not allow
us to stand still. If we are not moving forward in
growth, the best we can hope for is to maintain what
we have achieved with practice. There is so much
talent within us yet to be explored and developed,
so much yet to learn of art and creativity, so much
that we have yet to offer the world, that to not
do so is to say that we are finished with life.
Robert Henri, a noted turn-of-the
century artist and teacher, stated that a "Master" is
not one who is finished or through with learning,
but is, instead, open minded and curious about the
world. Indeed, a Master is one whose enthusiasm for
learning propels him forward, always improving, refining,
and moving toward excellence in the quality of his
creation.
Perhaps we could use Robert Henri's
definition of a Master as a beacon before us! Rather
than someone who chooses to be finished with life
and closed to its unfolding possibilities, let us
be ever-learning and ever-evolving as we move steadily
ahead, striving to achieve a higher quality in both
art and teaching.
________Art
Quote_______
"Our deepest
fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest
fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It
is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens
us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who
are you not to be? There's nothing enlightened
about shrinking so that other people won't feel
insecure around you. We were born to make manifest
the glory that is within us. It's not just in some
of us, it is in every one. And as we let our own
light shine, we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same. As we are liberated
from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates
others.
...Nelson Mandela
