Amitava, it makes me very happy that you've not only done what you said you wanted to do -- start drawing -- but made it a practice that helps you "feel more alive." Of course you are an artist, because you do this, with dedication and purpose -- but I also like your insistence on being an amateur. This is how I feel about music. I've done it all my life, I practice, I play and sing with others, some of whom are professional, but I myself remain an amateur and am glad of it. And nothing makes me feel more alive than making music, even art -- because the latter is my "profession."
Thank you. Art is much more of a joy now that I've retired from professional design work! Please don't sell yourself short, because you say a lot with your art and you've developed a natural style that is yours.
My grandfather used those five-year diaries for years. Unfortunately, he was not a writer and what he recorded was very basic daily stuff, like what they ate, a trip to the hardware store, a birthday celebration but with no description. He was a literal-minded man who had to drop out of school after 8th grade to help on the family farm. But he yearned for literature: Accumulating a library of books of which he was immensely proud in (self-taught) Spanish, Norwegian and the English and Danish he grew up with. He also, in the Danish tradition, wrote poems for family members to commemorate graduations, birthdays and anniversaries. They aren't very good poems but he wrote them. I treasure the one he wrote for my PhD from Berkeley.
My first thought is that even in that noting down of what you call “daily stuff” what has been preserved is a valuable historical record. But I understand what you say about the absence of description. I’m sure I make the same mistake as your grandfather, merely noting down what I did that day. So much is taken for granted. I don’t think I even attain that minimum that Kafka achieved in his journal entry on August 2, 1914: “Germany has declared war on Russia. In the afternoon, swimming lessons.”
I love this celebration of the amateur. My father was a doctor, but played violin for most of his adult life and was an avid concert goer. Amateur artists are better audiences of art.
I loved the loaf of bread - it made me laugh somehow. My "other" art is gardening. My house came with a garden. I try not to kill the little plants, add several every year (because I don't always succeed in keeping them alive) and take huge joy in giving bouquets to friends....
Amitava, it makes me very happy that you've not only done what you said you wanted to do -- start drawing -- but made it a practice that helps you "feel more alive." Of course you are an artist, because you do this, with dedication and purpose -- but I also like your insistence on being an amateur. This is how I feel about music. I've done it all my life, I practice, I play and sing with others, some of whom are professional, but I myself remain an amateur and am glad of it. And nothing makes me feel more alive than making music, even art -- because the latter is my "profession."
That is so beautiful—what you say, Beth, about your feeling for music. You also know, of course, that I find your art very affecting.
Thank you. Art is much more of a joy now that I've retired from professional design work! Please don't sell yourself short, because you say a lot with your art and you've developed a natural style that is yours.
My grandfather used those five-year diaries for years. Unfortunately, he was not a writer and what he recorded was very basic daily stuff, like what they ate, a trip to the hardware store, a birthday celebration but with no description. He was a literal-minded man who had to drop out of school after 8th grade to help on the family farm. But he yearned for literature: Accumulating a library of books of which he was immensely proud in (self-taught) Spanish, Norwegian and the English and Danish he grew up with. He also, in the Danish tradition, wrote poems for family members to commemorate graduations, birthdays and anniversaries. They aren't very good poems but he wrote them. I treasure the one he wrote for my PhD from Berkeley.
My first thought is that even in that noting down of what you call “daily stuff” what has been preserved is a valuable historical record. But I understand what you say about the absence of description. I’m sure I make the same mistake as your grandfather, merely noting down what I did that day. So much is taken for granted. I don’t think I even attain that minimum that Kafka achieved in his journal entry on August 2, 1914: “Germany has declared war on Russia. In the afternoon, swimming lessons.”
That Kafka entry is a doozy. One to which we can all aspire!
I love this celebration of the amateur. My father was a doctor, but played violin for most of his adult life and was an avid concert goer. Amateur artists are better audiences of art.
Ameature art as an act of democracy! Wow! Only a fellow Bihari could imagine that framing!
Painitng in words, lines, colours - you are a special kind of artist...next time in India pls visit us and meet Juhi...
🙏🏽
I loved the loaf of bread - it made me laugh somehow. My "other" art is gardening. My house came with a garden. I try not to kill the little plants, add several every year (because I don't always succeed in keeping them alive) and take huge joy in giving bouquets to friends....
I love what writers write about gardens and parks. That’s another take talent!
Wow, they’re very good. I’m a little jealous.
Many, many congrats on your book. Photowali Didi, indeed! Lovely portraits of people and places.
Thanks Amitava.
Neat idea indeed. Long live the democratic arts and amateurs 🙂
Nice to see the John Berger mention on the edge of the page up there ...
I know who I’m writing for! 🙏🏽❤️