A Different Perspective:  

More Thoughts

There are so many interesting things in this life that it is impossible to touch them all.  I’m wondering tonight how the span of our lives—our life journey would be changed if we had more years on this earth.  Suppose that we lived to be the ripe old age of-oh-400 years.  How would that affect the way we live, and the way we approach our art? 

Time affects us—it pushes us to go fast.  The older we get, the louder the clock ticks—seems that way to me—don’t know about everyone else.  At some point in our life, we start seeing folks close to us pass from this good earth.  We hear the clock loud and clear.  We don’t take things so much for granted, and we start to wonder what we will leave behind—especially when it comes to our artwork.               

Photo of Maury and Grand-daughter Taylor

But, just think if we really had 400 years to live.  That would be something for sure—would our art slow down.  I’m thinking that if we had a few more years to learn our craft, would we feel a bit more comfortable taking time to really understand the nature of all the things entailed in our craft.  We could take time studying the human body in depth—20 years—30 years—whatever it took to get there.  Once we were rid of time constraints, would it make much difference whether we understood what we were doing in 10 years or 100 years?  We would be free to do and go where we needed.  Having mastered one subject, we would be free to move on to others—other subjects and other mediums. 

I understand that time pushes us and that push is a motivator to get things done.  Given 400 years, I’m not sure we would use the extra time wisely.  Would a longer life mean just the same accomplishment in that many more years?  Maybe we would go so slow that we wouldn’t accomplish much more in 400 years than we accomplished in 80 years.

A year is defined by how long it takes the earth to revolve around the sun.  Einstein said that time was relative—but I don’t think he was talking about art and life.  It seems to me that time has speeded up on this end.  When I was 17, a year lasted ages, and now in middle age, a year seems to last about three seconds.  What is that all about?  And I guess that is what has gotten me to this subject.  

I’m living in the here and now.  The future is what it will be, but it won’t change my own struggle to find the best within myself at this moment in my life.  I like waking up everyday and thinking about my art.  Art gives my life meaning—it reminds to look closely at everyday things—so many things to see and think about.  I know I don’t have enough time—and sometimes I don’t think 400 years would be enough.  But, I have what I have, and must make the best of it. 

I will paint tonight and think further.  

Email Maury at mauryk@watercolorpassion.com