It was a typical day shift: busy and manic. Usual ingredient's for a nurse's schedule. But meeting this one man might be one of the most memorable shift's I've had so far. It is so unfortunate to keep the confidentiality of every detail about this particular "young chap", but I would love to share our wee conversation that might be more than "typical".
Apparently, the young chap is a well-known and respected "man of art" here in the United Kingdom. He has done countless of speeches and lectures, he has been a very busy and active man for someone who is almost hitting the age of 80.
He was a very witty and humorous man, a jolly good fellow I say. (Sorry can't help it!) So I've asked him certain questions to satisfy my curiosity about him, his craft and in life in general. I promise not to bore you. My words won't do justice with the wisdom he shared.
I've asked him how he learned to draw, or rather, where and what school he attended to.
"No, I didn't go to school."
"Ah, one of the naturals."
"Well, I suppose so, yes."
"That's really nice. There are some people who go to these schools to learn, but, not all of them can be successful, can they?"
"You really can't have everything on school. Look at the cavemen. 30,000 years ago, they painted and drew on the walls. No school. But their work was so beautiful."
He added, "Inspiration cannot be learned."
"I'd have to agree with you on that. I think people nowadays do their work, and try to outthink themselves with the output, with the pay, and tend to forget why there doing things in the first place. People do try to moan each and every time. We just forget to love what we're doing. You're very lucky doing what you love."
Then I said, "I really like that line: Inspiration cannot be learned."
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I blurted: "Each time I go to exhibits and see drawings and paintings, I like to tell myself that I would love to do it, but I am afraid that I might fail."
"You should give it a try. Don't be scared of the outcome. Don't think you can be the world's greatest artist in 5 minutes, you can't. Just be whatever you can be."
"You're right. It's the fear of the outcome that is impeding people to try things. For example after seeing a Picasso or a Van Gogh, beginners would think their work would just be an inkblot."
"Nowadays, they wanted to rush. We all have our own styles, we just don't know it yet until we find out."
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I was quite hesitant to ask this, but I tried as casual as I can : "With all the works and your known name, do you still get rejected?"
"Yes. People do change in their tastes. What might be popular then, might not work out for today. But as it is, it does go around and back."
"Ah, so if it's like music, it has different genres as well then?"
"Yes, you got it."
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And yes, he was right, inspiration cannot be learned. Because he just gave it to me.
Apparently, the young chap is a well-known and respected "man of art" here in the United Kingdom. He has done countless of speeches and lectures, he has been a very busy and active man for someone who is almost hitting the age of 80.
He was a very witty and humorous man, a jolly good fellow I say. (Sorry can't help it!) So I've asked him certain questions to satisfy my curiosity about him, his craft and in life in general. I promise not to bore you. My words won't do justice with the wisdom he shared.
On his art.
I've asked him how he learned to draw, or rather, where and what school he attended to.
"No, I didn't go to school."
"Ah, one of the naturals."
"Well, I suppose so, yes."
"That's really nice. There are some people who go to these schools to learn, but, not all of them can be successful, can they?"
"You really can't have everything on school. Look at the cavemen. 30,000 years ago, they painted and drew on the walls. No school. But their work was so beautiful."
He added, "Inspiration cannot be learned."
"I've started at a young age, and then look at me now, I'm still doing it, enjoying every time like it's my first."
"I'd have to agree with you on that. I think people nowadays do their work, and try to outthink themselves with the output, with the pay, and tend to forget why there doing things in the first place. People do try to moan each and every time. We just forget to love what we're doing. You're very lucky doing what you love."
Then I said, "I really like that line: Inspiration cannot be learned."
-------------------
On me trying to do art
I blurted: "Each time I go to exhibits and see drawings and paintings, I like to tell myself that I would love to do it, but I am afraid that I might fail."
"You should give it a try. Don't be scared of the outcome. Don't think you can be the world's greatest artist in 5 minutes, you can't. Just be whatever you can be."
"You're right. It's the fear of the outcome that is impeding people to try things. For example after seeing a Picasso or a Van Gogh, beginners would think their work would just be an inkblot."
"Nowadays, they wanted to rush. We all have our own styles, we just don't know it yet until we find out."
------------------
On rejections
I was quite hesitant to ask this, but I tried as casual as I can : "With all the works and your known name, do you still get rejected?"
"Yes. People do change in their tastes. What might be popular then, might not work out for today. But as it is, it does go around and back."
"Ah, so if it's like music, it has different genres as well then?"
"Yes, you got it."
------------------
And yes, he was right, inspiration cannot be learned. Because he just gave it to me.
Beautiful and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteWith our nurses code, confidentiality is a must! Pero nacho-chorva ako ditoooo :| sino ba ito? HAHAHAHA