Change is coming.
This blog journal was intended to provide context for my artwork. The perfunctory, "About the Artist" paragraph on the last leaf of the typical art show's 3-ring document binder, as written by the artist. Not autobiographical, so much, as an index of the artist's mentality. "Are you putting me on?" wonders the skeptic. An artist's sincerity can't be judged on the basis of the artwork itself.
As my college art teacher said, "Don't even look at your finished work of art for at least 6 months." In other words, “Don't judge yourself.” Documentary photographs of artists' studios often show canvases facing the wall. It is for the simple reason that an artist can only work on one painting at a time (focus). The work of art is not finished until the artist is finished with it. Do you have any idea how many changes I've made to a painting after signing it? And I even practice my signature until I'm satisfied!
When I set out to write this journal I intended to follow a similar approach to my painting. Looking back over past blog posts of mine, I must say that, (even if I do say so myself) my writing is hard to read. All it has that I can point to with pride is an index of education. Each of my 'statements' reads like a traditional stack of index cards shuffled for final writing of a dissertation. Any one of my blog topics would make a great term paper (if only I could decide which one.)
Much more writing development is needed. A whole, different approach is needed. My problem is I am still writing school papers. An artist's statement shouldn't be a thesis. It should be more like the disclosure of interest inserted at some point in every peer-reviewed article for publication. Only a paragraph, at most (don't tell too much) or, even better, an "elevator pitch." No references, please. Always appreciated is a tribute to friends, associates, supporters, and everyone who helped make this exhibit possible.
I could go on about my shaky writing. But, as of today, it's time I move on. My problem seems to be that I have been—and still am—writing for a thesis committee which has long since been adjourned. To get caught-up, I must make a personal disclosure: I never finished grad school. The cause was my inability to decide on a thesis. My thesis committee suggested I withdraw, and return when I make up my mind. A grace period of 7 years is traditionally granted until completion. Stop the clock for a time-out.
The seven years lapsed a long time ago. And yet, here I am, still writing drafts for a grad school thesis. I have blogged about thesis-writing before. What I did not realize, when I wrote it, was that it did not make very interesting reading. Furthermore, they are not good to read even after the wait time, as suggested for a new painting's paint to dry, by my college painting teacher. Now, it's too late to go back and re-write, even if so inclined. Looking forward, therefore, I can see no way out but to try something different. To write for myself, to begin with, not for a grad school thesis committee.