Why all that work?
Jul. 8th, 2019 10:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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creativitycauldronSome of you in the cauldron may have seen the painting I’ve done on Legend Lure’s bodhran on social media. I’m really proud of this piece and collaboration, and I don't say that about my work often. You can see it here if you haven’t!
The design is based on the tinner’s rabbits; a dancing triple hare motif surrounded by a simple celtic knot. The bunny inspiration came from Sooj’s Rabbit’s Song.
I showed the finished drum to some friends tonight who are both musicians and artists.
“Why all that [work, effort on the art] for something thats just going to be worn off by getting beat on?”
For just a second, I kinda stood there and stared at them. Drum hanging limp at my side, like a deflated balloon. I made some flippant remark and brushed it off and started talking about something else.
That comment has stuck in my craw this evening. (It also may be the wine) Its not that they were disparaging against my craftsmanship, the image itself. But against even making it in the first place.
Why all that work? Because I’m an artist dammit. It’s what I DO. I definitely hope that the image lasts through many playings. But I know it wont last forever, because nothing in this life does. Everything gets worn down and faded with time. I’ve spent a stupid amount of time, money and pain getting tattoos. I can already see the signs of age and weathering. These art pieces are on borrowed time because so is their canvas.
The only way to truly insure the life of the image, would be to never play the bodhran. Which goes against the nature of an instrument. The artist to not create because her images wont last forever (or get internet famous, or make tons of money), goes against the nature of the artist.
I’m rambling. Time is coming for us all, and the wheel keeps turning. Create your work, share it, set it free, unleash it with no desperate attachment.
Anyone else run into this crap? Am I crazy?
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Date: 2019-07-09 03:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-07-10 01:50 am (UTC)Its amazing when artists can still be muggles sometimes
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Date: 2019-07-09 09:26 pm (UTC)Because I've played decorated drum heads.
You play hand drums, you KNOW your instrument is alive (my go tos all have synthetic heads, but the spirit is similar) and that it won't stay the same.
You play hand drums and go to a spiritual place when you do, you approach a painted drum skin with big respect.
I mean holy shit.
Also I'd be honored to play any instrument you made into art. I've seen the images you put up of this one, and it's amazing. Ah May Zing.
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Date: 2019-07-10 01:22 am (UTC)And Thank you, thank you thank you! That means a lot Sooj! <3
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Date: 2019-07-11 02:35 pm (UTC)I'm not worried in the slightest about the image fading. If it does, then that means I've done my job as a musician and beat the hell out of it to make people happy. The rabbits serve to help me remember to thump, thump, thump away, after all!
No matter what, your art always has a place existing as it does. There is no corner of the world that doesn't deserve creativity.
Will I be a little sad when your beautiful painting on my drum fades from use? Sure I will, but I'll also be proud and excited. As the paint fades, the instrument's magic will only grow stronger. For that, I'm so very grateful.
~Chris Kobold, a very humbled and honored bard~
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Date: 2019-07-12 02:07 pm (UTC)There's a song about that: https://catfaber.bandcamp.com/track/all-things-pass