Art is made of questions and craft.
What she doesn’t know shapes her work
along with the hope that someone believes
in her even if that girl can’t see
what’s under her hands.
The verse novel Stone Mirrors: The Sculpture and Silence of Edmonia Lewis spoke deeply to me about the artistic process. Art grows from questions. The things we don’t know nevertheless shape our creative pursuits. Borrowing another’s belief in our ability before they — and even we ourselves — fully see the work under our hands can free us to dive in.
So much truth and beauty here.
So true! <3
And you understand this from the illustrating and the writing side!
Jeannine is so very wise! I love how much of her is revealed in her books. Her book on writing VIEWS FROM A WINDOW SEAT is such nourishment for the artist/writer’s soul. https://www.amazon.com/Views-Window-Seat-Thoughts-Writing/dp/1491000554/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495206524&sr=8-1&keywords=jeannine+atkins+from+a+window+seat
I’ve thought of reading this several times! You’ve pushed me over the edge to go get a copy.
Caroline, it makes me happy to hear this novel shed light into your own creative process. I learned a lot from Edmonia, though of course I brought in some of my own thoughts on creativity, too — or what came to me from spending years with her, like having a long, lingering conversation! Thank you for reading and posting!
My absolute pleasure. I loved this book. And I just ordered VIEWS FROM A WINDOW SEAT.
Thank you!!! (and Irene, too!)
Thank you, Jeannine. I really admire your work.
Thank you for this beautiful quote and book.
I hope you enjoy.