B Inspired by Jeff Harris

The Creative Spirit ~ Steve Jobs

5 YEARS AGO TODAY, the iPHONE was introduced by Steve Jobs in S.F.

photograph from the Apple Store in Oaxaca, Mexico.

I just finished reading Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. It is an amazing read about Steve Jobs, the genius behind all of the Apple products I utilize to express my creative self.

Jobs was an uncompromising, clear headed genius who has changed the world forever. He was NEVER driven by money, but had a vision of finding the sweet spot where art and technology meet. He pushed people work and create beyond what they thought was possible. In the book he states...

"What drove me? I think most creative people want to express appreciation for being able to take advantage of the work that's been done by others before us. I didn't invent the language or mathematics I use. I make little of my own food, none of my own clothes. Everything I do depends on other members of our species and the shoulders that we stand on. And a lot f us want to contribute something back to our species and to add something to the flow. It's about trying to express something in the only way that most of know how...because we can't write Bob Dylan songs or Tom Stoppard plays. We try to use the talents we do have to express our deep feelings, to show our appreciation of all the contributions that came before us, and to add something to that flow. That's what has driven me."

"...They kept evolving, moving, refining their art. That's what I've always tried to do---keep moving. Otherwise, as Dylan says, if you're not busy being born, you're busy dying."

Obama Care in Action

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Finding One's Way

I just love this image. I took it years ago in Washington DC on the Mall in the winter. It has such a sense on mystery to it and expresses how I feel sometimes going thru life. I don't really have much to say other than I have been working tirelessly on my soon to be shown Mexican devotional pieces. It has been a labor of love with much revision and revamping.

I am in the middle of reading the Walter Isaacson’s bio of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. It is an interesting read and one which stimulates much thought into how we see ourselves and our work. It is hard not to think about his obsession with perfection as I am creating these pieces that are all about imperfection!

Steve Jobs said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary"

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

"We all have a short period of time on this earth. We probably only have the opportunity to do a few things really great and do them well. None of us has any idea how long we’re gong to be here nor do I, but my feeling is I’ve got to accomplish a lot of these things while I’m young."

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.... Stay hungry. Stay foolish!" (Stanford University commencement address, June 2005)

How Photographers Spend Their Time

click chart to enlarge

This chart was created by A Photo Editor and I thought it was very telling. It also made me feel better as I have been lamenting on how I haven't been able to work on my encaustics since leaving the Ragdale residency. There are many facets being an artist and they are all equally important. It is lovely to create wonderful work but if it just sits in your studio, the cycle is not fulfilled. It must be seen by others. What are you doing to get your work seen?

for the new year

a gentle reminder

We are all a work in progress...a few thoughts for the New Year

I have just a few minutes to post before I am called away so will make this brief. I have been working on my Mexican "retablos" as of late and am constantly refining the work. I keep finding ways to improve it's presentation. I am collaborating with Luis Alberto Urrea, a wonderful writer who is providing text which I will be incorporating into the pieces, no small challenge!

I am reminded of the movie Ground Hog Day. It is about a weatherman who resisted and disliked his assignment of covering the annual Ground Hog Day only to find himself repeating the day over and over again until he gets it right....that is what it is like to create artwork and to live with awareness. We have the opportunity and challenge to do it better every moment, every day, every year.

Have a wonderful New Year!