RESOLUTIONS
By Nina Benson
Reviewing past comments of students about the what they wish they could have done, but didn’t for lack of time and/or commitment; there rings a common thread: “I wish I had done more”.
It starts early – even children, like adults, echo the familiar words, “…if only”
As we close out yet another year and reflect back, like my students we should all take time to consider how we could do more and strive to that which improves our work but not just our production, but “life” for others. I know it sounds a bit altruistic and I should get my head out of the clouds, but I did finally land in the art field and artists have that bent about them – we are dreamers.
Perhaps we should sometimes come, like very young children, because they see things sometimes simplistically and wonder what is all the proverbial fuss all about? Children will all too soon be expected to look at the complexities of life and wade right into the mix to bring some semblance of order; when in actuality as adults we unfortunately are “simply”, (pun intended), successful in adding our own mess into the mix. But, as adults, like my students, are we looking at the “what could I have done better… differently… What more could I have done?”
I think we, sadly, look to do less rather more and think that our lack of input will make no difference to any one; but, it does. Students have heard from me, ‘We do NOT live in a bubble. Whatever you DO or not, affects someone; least it affects you’… And usually at the end on the day we all look back and say those familiar regrettable words, “I should have done more”.
Surely, strive to do better, not just in art, but in life. Live each day as it is - a gift and return back to life your best, it makes a difference to someone, because there are no bubbles in life, only an infinite number of contact points.
Finish Strong
By Nina Benson
Reviewing past comments of students about the what they wish they could have done, but didn’t for lack of time and/or commitment; there rings a common thread: “I wish I had done more”.
It starts early – even children, like adults, echo the familiar words, “…if only”
As we close out yet another year and reflect back, like my students we should all take time to consider how we could do more and strive to that which improves our work but not just our production, but “life” for others. I know it sounds a bit altruistic and I should get my head out of the clouds, but I did finally land in the art field and artists have that bent about them – we are dreamers.
Perhaps we should sometimes come, like very young children, because they see things sometimes simplistically and wonder what is all the proverbial fuss all about? Children will all too soon be expected to look at the complexities of life and wade right into the mix to bring some semblance of order; when in actuality as adults we unfortunately are “simply”, (pun intended), successful in adding our own mess into the mix. But, as adults, like my students, are we looking at the “what could I have done better… differently… What more could I have done?”
I think we, sadly, look to do less rather more and think that our lack of input will make no difference to any one; but, it does. Students have heard from me, ‘We do NOT live in a bubble. Whatever you DO or not, affects someone; least it affects you’… And usually at the end on the day we all look back and say those familiar regrettable words, “I should have done more”.
Surely, strive to do better, not just in art, but in life. Live each day as it is - a gift and return back to life your best, it makes a difference to someone, because there are no bubbles in life, only an infinite number of contact points.
Finish Strong