For all of my energy and output, I’ve never been invited to a professional residency. Of course, I would have to apply for the honor, and that would mean seeking approval from strangers, which is never a good thing. Usually I manage to nip pride dreams in the bud for the benefit of my ego and sanity. Practicing on the path of least resistance (as a painter) means never having to admit you’re a failure for longer than three minutes. So no judges, please. Paint, breathe like a cat or 18th century Haudenosaunee, and make believe with the children.
Count it! Yes, garnered by way of having earned the benefactor's confidence and trust, the Merlin Residency seems to me to be as prestigious as they come. Congratulations! 🎉
I've also been struggling so much lately with the same realization that "the culture does not want artists [,so] I don't want the culture." My children are affected by the fact of this matter every bit as much as I am, and I can only hope that I've managed to help them avoid the crushing sense of failure and guilt that relentlessly plagues me. I even went as far as to earn another graduate degree in an effort to feel valid/relevant. Spoiler: it didn't help.
Summertime...and the livin' is not easy. If only we could just "be" and let the 10,000 things float on by.
Count it! Yes, garnered by way of having earned the benefactor's confidence and trust, the Merlin Residency seems to me to be as prestigious as they come. Congratulations! 🎉
I've also been struggling so much lately with the same realization that "the culture does not want artists [,so] I don't want the culture." My children are affected by the fact of this matter every bit as much as I am, and I can only hope that I've managed to help them avoid the crushing sense of failure and guilt that relentlessly plagues me. I even went as far as to earn another graduate degree in an effort to feel valid/relevant. Spoiler: it didn't help.