The Mighty Pencil

What a wonderful thing the pencil is. I think of this often as I write notes to myself or sketch late at night in bed. 

'The Pencil Is Mightier'

wall assemblage ©robinrkent

I never worry about it failing to write when held upside down or leaking ink blobs on my blankets or sheets.

Pencils aren't greedy - they are fine with sharing the same space with other marks as I loosely sketch, waiting while I decide which line to use, a prelude to a new work.

They have a close history with Thoreau also:  No. 339: Thoreau's Pencils www.uh.edu/engines/epi339.html  He knew pencils inside and out, literally. The lowly pencil didn't give him any lip when he expounded on the philosophy of transcendentalism.
http://www.thoreausociety.org
It was the pencil that initially communicated those feelings to all who cared to read his words when he wasn't there. Such a responsibility.

When I think about it, pencils are taken for granted, ubiquitous, inexpensive, and can be the accepted object of frustration. 

I don't know where I'd be without them. I think they need to be shown a little more respect.

Art more valuable than money?

'People seem to believe more in art today than they do in money.'- Alex Vervoordt, Antiques dealer and interior designer, ElleDecor

Came across this quote while scanning my usual magazines trying to zero in on the art shown in the room settings. It stopped me and grabbed my attention.

 Portrait of the folk artist as a blonde
 in the early days long ago, experimenting

Really?
More than money?
Sounds like spinning gold from straw. Yes, the riches are in knowing one's calling. Payback comes in the details - making art choices that will change the direction of a piece at every step:
subject matter? what's to be conveyed?
traditional or folk art style?
2 or 3D -  painting, relief, or sculpture?
whimsical or trained, aka 'serious'? (my hardest query at the moment)
colorful or muted?

Those answers could stay elusive and may take a lifetime of experimentation.
Not in a hurry, though.
As long as others continue to believe more in art than money.

Visionary Art

I have art projects yet to be crossed off my 2012 list, even though it's 2013. These are without tight deadlines, but still to be done. Old lists lead into new. Like birthdays year to year. Another day and I don't feel different. Yet.

'New Book In Heaven' (detail) mixed media

©robinrkent

I have to focus on finishing these art pieces before looking at new ideas. It's hard not to look ahead: no unwrapping a present before its time. What will be envisioned next?
Many artists are 'visionary.'
Sometimes I am and sometimes not. Sometimes I see the completed artwork before I start. Sometimes I let the painting process or wood shard be my art guide and follow it blindly through many wrong turns.
There's no real instruction book on the 'right way' to procede when creating.
I just look forward to turning the page to start creating the next chapter.
And seeing if what was envisioned turns into art.